Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Weston, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly being recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of drugs and alcohol by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate detection period of three months for alcoholic and other substances. Collecting hair is simple, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis. For tests such as EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If there is no scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Laboratory drug test processing consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into a laboratory's system. This involves verifying that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Though a cost-efficient way to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

In case a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples that test presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is conducted following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Historical usage data: It can provide a timeline of drug consumption over an extended period, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Weston, NE

Hair follicle testing outperforms conventional urine tests with its superior accuracy and reliability. In contrast to urine tests, hair testing offers a broader detection scope, identifying substance use effectively over extended periods. This advantage makes it a preferred option for workplaces looking to enforce stringent drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Weston, NE

Hair testing provides a noteworthy advantage by detecting drug use up to 90 days prior, surpassing typical urine tests. This extended window allows employers to evaluate applicants or employees more comprehensively, ensuring informed hiring and personnel decisions, maintaining workplace integrity in Weston.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Weston, NE

Hair follicle testing considerably diminishes the chance of sample tampering, thus guaranteeing credible results. The collection process is observed, and the integrity of the sample is maintained, providing trustworthy outcomes, greatly benefiting businesses enforcing strict anti-drug policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Weston, NE

Our nationwide and local testing facilities deliver easy access to reliable hair follicle drug tests. In Weston, residents benefit from quick and convenient services, ensuring that testing is hassle-free and promptly accessible at numerous centers.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Weston, NE

The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private, from ordering to receiving results. Our centers prioritize confidentiality, alleviating privacy concerns and making the testing experience simple and stress-free for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Weston, NE

We offer competitive pricing structures paired with rapid result delivery, providing excellent value. Businesses of diverse sizes benefit from economical and prompt hair testing services, ensuring peace of mind without financial strain in Weston.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Weston, NE

Hair follicle drug testing provides exceptional accuracy in substance detection. Its superior analytical precision makes it the preferred choice for ensuring reliable results. Reputable testing centers in Weston guarantee prompt processing and swift results, reinforcing the method's reputation for speed and dependability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Weston, NE

Employers gain assurance with hair follicle testing, as it upholds workplace drug-free policies effectively. By minimizing legal exposures and promoting a safe work environment, companies in Weston ensure policy compliance through this reliable testing strategy.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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