Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ames, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust mechanism for detecting substance and alcohol usage. Hair retains a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by enclosing biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected from near the scalp, hair can extend up to a three-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Additionally, hair is easy to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG tests, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is recommended to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. In referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to any other kind of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in a lab involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning incorporates the initial handling of a sample into the lab’s procedures. Tasks include verifying that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening acts as an initial rapid check for drugs of misuse. Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screen needs verification to be admissible in legal settings. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If Screening suggests a sample is positive, more hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to conduct.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for a period of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It can show a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Ames, NE, shines when compared to standard urine tests, offering significant advantages. Its ability to detect drug use over an extended period ensures more accurate evaluations, making it a preferred choice for employers seeking reliability.

Contrasting with urine testing, which requires frequent monitoring, hair testing presents a longer window of drug detection. This allows employers and professionals to make well-informed decisions, reflecting substance use patterns months prior.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Ames, NE, grants employers a comprehensive understanding of substance use history. It reveals drug use for up to 90 days, providing insights into an individual’s long-term behavior.

This method unveils a broader picture, crucial for positions requiring high safety standards. Longer detection also aids in ensuring a continuous drug-free environment in workplaces, bringing peace of mind to employers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Ames, NE, largely eliminate the risk of sample tampering, ensuring authentic results. The integrity of the samples reduces potential manipulation, making it a trustworthy method for substance abuse assessments.

This tamper-resistant approach reassures employers and judicial systems in the accuracy of the results, providing a reliable testing option that is almost impossible to cheat, compared to other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing makes testing convenient with numerous nationwide centers, including locations in Ames, NE, offering efficient, hassle-free access to testing.

Our local and national presence ensures easy availability of testing services, making it simple and straightforward for everyone to access the necessary tests without traveling far, thus saving time and energy.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ames, NE, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Our easy ordering system and discrete test-taking ensure privacy is upheld throughout.

Test results are handled with strict confidentiality, reflecting our commitment to secure and respectful service. Users can confidently rely on our streamlined procedures for accurate results while preserving their privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in Ames, NE, boast competitive pricing and rapid results, offering excellent value. This makes our services accessible to various businesses looking for reliable testing solutions.

Fast turnaround times ensure employers get results promptly, underscoring our dedication to affordable, high-quality testing that meets company needs efficiently and cost-effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ames, Nebraska, hair follicle testing provides fast and precise results that surpass traditional testing methods. The accuracy of detecting substance use within hair samples ensures reliable findings, allowing for prompt decision-making by employers and individuals alike.

Our testing services guarantee swift processing time, offering high accuracy in confirming substance presence in a matter of days. This rapid turnaround supports timely evaluations, enhancing workplace safety and well-being.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Ames, NE, hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks. Its exhaustive detection scope aligns with company regulations, fostering a safer, healthier work environment.

Employers gain peace of mind by using a testing method known for its reliability and integrity, helping to maintain a productive and compliant workforce committed to high standards of safety and performance.

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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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