Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Anselmo, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair can capture a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers into the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, it allows for nearly a 3-month window of detection for substances. The collection process is straightforward, with minimal chance of tampering, and facilitates easy transportation.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hairs (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will give about 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We encourage the use of a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample. In cases where scalp hair is not available, the same amount of body hair can be gathered. 'Head hair' specifically indicates scalp hair, while 'body hair' pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily involves four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of inputting a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This phase ensures that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry omitted by electronic custody records.

Screening is a rapid initial assessment for detecting drug misuse. Though Screening serves as an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result requires confirmation to gain legal validity. Samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial batch and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), which is why hair analysis poses greater challenges.

Confirmation for any positive outcomes from the screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples showing presumptive positivity are washed prior to confirmation as deemed necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and follows accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can track drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter time frame.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test poses significant challenges, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Tracks historical use: It reveals drug usage patterns over time, not merely recent toxins.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: Drugs need about 5-7 days before becoming detectable in hair strands.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses tend to be costlier than alternate testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth patterns might influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment is conducted on the hair strand itself and not upon the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Anselmo, NE, the benefits become evident. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, proving effective for users seeking a comprehensive screening. Unlike urine testing, hair tests can cover a broader time frame, ensuring employers receive a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Anselmo, NE value hair follicle testing for its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This method provides a broad view of an employee’s or applicant’s substance history, allowing businesses to make better-informed hiring decisions. The long detection period surpasses other testing types, offering crucial insight into past drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests conducted in Anselmo, NE provide a tamper-resistant method of drug screening. These tests minimize the possibility of sample tampering or adulteration, ensuring the results are accurate and trustworthy. This assurance makes it an excellent choice for those needing dependable data with reduced chances of manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our convenient testing centers nationwide, including those in Anselmo, NE, offer easy and efficient access to hair follicle tests. With locations spread across various cities, individuals can quickly find a nearby center for hassle-free testing services. This accessibility is key to our service, making drug testing straightforward and timely for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering and undergoing a hair follicle test in Anselmo, NE, is both simple and confidential. From scheduling to receiving results, the entire procedure is designed with privacy and ease of use in mind. This streamlined process gives clients peace of mind knowing their information is secure and the testing is efficiently managed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing structures, our hair follicle testing services in Anselmo, NE provide fast results at great value. Our pricing remains accessible for businesses of all sizes, with swift turnaround times ensuring that companies receive their test outcomes promptly, aiding in timely decision-making processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Anselmo, NE, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and rapid results. The method is highly accurate in discerning substance use, providing reliable outcomes much faster than traditional testing methods. Clients appreciate the swift turnaround times without sacrificing detail, making it an ideal choice for those needing dependable results quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Anselmo, NE supports workplace compliance, keeping employers on the right side of workplace drug-free mandates. This testing method reduces legal risks and promotes a safer work environment. Employers gain confidence knowing their policies are supported by advanced testing technologies that uphold workplace safety.

Drug Testing Near Anselmo, NE

Westerville, NE

Halsey, NE

Taylor, NE

Purdum, NE

Berwyn, NE

Sargent, NE

Weissert, NE

Callaway, NE

Almeria, NE

Brewster, NE

Arnold, NE

Dunning, NE

Broken Bow, NE

Merna, NE

Milburn, NE

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews