Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Arnold, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection range of up to 90 days for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A hair sample approximately 1.5 inches long consisting of 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil size) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both detection and validation purposes. For analyses involving EtG, additional components, and/or extending beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to determine the specimen's weight. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning signifies the initial step of introducing a sample into a lab’s workflow. This process confirms the sample's proper sealing and shipment, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry required beyond the electronic chain of custody systems.

Screening includes a preliminary examination for substances. Although Screening offers an economical approach to eliminating drug consumption in most samples, any positive findings must be validated to be legally admissible. Any samples testing positive in Screening require further confirmation.

In the event that Screening indicates a potential positive result, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, substances are extracted from hair at a lower concentration, making this method the most intricate compared to alternatives like urine or oral fluid tests.

Confirmation follows any positive screenings and is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to Confirmation if necessary. The laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair recognition and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection time frame: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for approximately 90 days, surpassing the shorter range of urine tests.
• Hard to evade: Attempting to manipulate hair drug test results is notably challenging, ensuring greater accuracy.
• Offers retrospective insight: It reveals drug usage patterns over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent drug use: A delay of about 5-7 days is typical before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments tend to be costlier than other forms of drug testing.
• Inconsistent outcomes: Variables like hair pigment and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Arnold, NE, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing due to its superior detection abilities. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests can identify drug use over a longer timeframe, offering detailed insights into an individual's substance history.

The unmatched accuracy and consistency of hair tests make them indispensable for employers committed to maintaining drug-free workplaces, far outweighing the limitations of urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Arnold, NE provides a comprehensive analysis of drug use patterns, offering insights over a 90-day span. This extended detection window gives employers a clearer view of substance use history, essential for informed decision-making.

Compared to shorter-term testing methods, hair analysis offers a valuable assessment of chronic substance use, supporting more informed hiring or employee evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The method of hair follicle testing in Arnold, NE ensures minimal risk of sample interference, making it highly trustworthy. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests withstand attempts to manipulate the test outcome.

This thorough and secure process guarantees results that stakeholders can rely on, fostering confidence and eliminating the uncertainties that often accompany drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience with its extensive network of testing centers nationwide and in Arnold, NE. The widespread availability means quick and easy access for those needing drug testing services.

This hassle-free accessibility simplifies the testing process, ensuring that all clients receive prompt attention, maintaining efficiency and convenience at every step.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Arnold, NE is straightforward and discreet, addressing privacy concerns and delivering ease from ordering to results. Clients experience a seamless journey through our testing services.

Maintaining confidentiality throughout the process, we ensure that sensitive information is thoroughly protected, providing an unmatched level of service for all users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Arnold, NE, our competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times highlight the value of hair follicle drug testing. We offer cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality, meeting businesses' varied needs.

The quick results and affordability of our services provide a strong advantage, ensuring companies receive maximum value while adhering to budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Arnold, NE is unparalleled. They not only deliver accurate results but do so swiftly, enabling rapid decision-making. The precision of these tests ensures accurate substance detection, leaving no room for doubt.

High accuracy in hair drug tests significantly reduces false positives or negatives, providing trustworthy results. This reliability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of substance use assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Arnold, NE benefit from hair follicle testing as it aligns with maintaining a drug-free environment, significantly reducing workplace risks. This testing method helps ensure regulatory compliance and limits potential legal complications.

Through reliable detection capabilities, businesses can enforce policies effectively, guaranteeing peace of mind for both employers and employees alike.

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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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