Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Amherst, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When cut near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use within the past 90 days. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), equates to about 100mg and is perfect for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels surpassing ten, a sample of 150mg is preferred. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is advised for specimen weighing. If scalp hair is not viable, an equivalent weight of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically; body hair refers to all other forms (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

Drug test results are processed through four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the beginning of sample processing in a lab system. This step includes ensuring the sample's integrity during shipping, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing information not captured by the electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary way to identify drug presence. Although Screening is economical for excluding drug use in many samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples showing positive in Screening need further confirmation.

Samples deemed positive in Screening entail using additional hair from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than found in urine or oral fluid, making hair drug tests notably challenging to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive Screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before being confirmed as necessary. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Tracks consumption history: It can reveal drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs only become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is often costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: The commonly termed "hair follicle tests" actually analyze the hair strands, not the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Amherst, NE, hair follicle testing surpasses conventional urine testing in multiple ways. Enhanced detection qualities make it a superior choice as it identifies drug use over a broader timeframe. Unlike traditional urine tests, the hair method is less invasive and offers higher accuracy, making it favored among employers, courts, and rehabilitation facilities looking for definitive substance use analysis.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Amherst, NE, makes it a preferred method for many employers. While urine tests measure recent drug use, hair analysis can uncover a history of up to 90 days. This comprehensive overview enables companies to assess the substance habits of employees and applicants, ensuring a considerate and well-informed hiring process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Amherst, NE, are notable for their resistance to tampering. Unlike urine samples, which can often be contaminated or substituted, hair tests significantly reduce manipulation risks. This method ensures trustworthy results that can be relied upon in situations requiring unquestionable evidence, such as legal settings or company evaluations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including Amherst, NE, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward. The widespread availability of testing centers ensures that receiving service is quick and uncomplicated. This convenience allows individuals and businesses to benefit from efficient testing without unnecessary delays or complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Amherst, NE, the process for undergoing hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. Scheduling tests, completing the procedure, and receiving results are structured to respect privacy and streamline the overall experience. This level of discretion is essential for maintaining trust and easing concerns about personal information and testing outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offered in Amherst, NE, hair follicle testing features affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. By providing excellent value through competitive pricing structures, companies of various sizes can efficiently incorporate this method of testing. Quick result turnover ensures that businesses obtain the necessary information without unnecessary financial burden.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Amherst, NE, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests provide remarkable advantages. Accurate detection of substance use is crucial, and hair testing offers unparalleled precision. This method identifies whether a person has used drugs, ensuring dependable results. Moreover, the speed at which results are delivered reinforces its reliability in the diagnostic process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Amherst, NE, hair follicle testing delivers compliance and peace of mind. Maintaining a drug-free workplace is facilitated by this method due to its extensive detection capabilities and low risk of tampering. It not only aids in observing workplace policies but also minimizes potential legal challenges, fostering a safer and more secure working environment.

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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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