Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashby, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their growing fibers, offering a comprehensive history of substance use. When collected near the scalp, hair can effectively reveal a usage record for alcohol and other substances for up to around three months. The sample collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) next to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For testing EtG, additional parameters, or any examination exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically imply scalp hair, while body hair signifies any other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure of lab processing for a drug test result consists of four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process verifies that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves any supplementary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although it serves as a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use for most samples, a positive result from Screening must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Samples with presumptive positive results from Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample exhibit a presumptive positive result in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This step involves distilling drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), thus rendering hair drug screening the most challenging method.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are washed as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory operations from Accessioning to Confirmation are evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with the shorter detection duration of urine tests.
• Difficulty in manipulation: Tampering with a hair drug test is extremely difficult, resulting in enhanced accuracy of results.
• Delivers historical insights: It presents a record of drug use trends over an extended period, rather than solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of signaling recent use: It typically takes between 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Ashby, NE, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine testing with unmatched accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer a glimpse into habitual substance use, not just recent instances.

The superior detection abilities of hair follicle tests enable employers and authorities to maintain a robust stance against ongoing substance issues, reinforcing zero-tolerance policies effectively.

Extended Detection Window

With a detection window reaching up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Ashby, NE, provides a profound insight into an individual's substance history. This extended period surpasses what traditional methods offer.

Employers gain a comprehensive view of potential or current employees, helping them make informed decisions based on a wider timeframe that spans months, not days.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Ashby, NE, offers a tamper-resistant method that minimizes risks of adulteration, a common issue in other test methods. The robust nature ensures that results are reliable and tampering is virtually impossible.

This infallibility grants employers confidence in the data, knowing the samples remain uncontaminated from collection to analysis.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous convenient testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to services in Ashby, NE. Operating across the country, we guarantee testing is quick, easy, and hassle-free.

Local shops complement the nationwide network, ensuring reliable services close to home. This accessibility means anyone can access our premier testing services without a hitch.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Ashby, NE, is both simple and confidential, respecting the privacy concerns of all clients. Ordering and taking tests is straightforward and user-friendly.

Effortless receipt of results is guaranteed, providing a seamless experience from start to finish, where discretion and ease of use go hand in hand.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

At Accredited Drug Testing, we offer competitive pricing for our hair follicle testing services in Ashby, NE. Our fast turnaround times mean clients and companies receive excellent value, regardless of size.

This combination of affordability and efficiency underscores our commitment to delivering superior services that cater to diverse testing needs without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For those seeking rapid yet accurate drug detection in Ashby, NE, hair follicle testing is a prime choice. Precision and high accuracy characterize hair tests, enabling effective identification of substance use patterns.

Timely results provide invaluable data, especially for employers aiming to make swift, informed decisions. The efficiency ensures there's no undue delay between testing and receiving the outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Ashby, NE, empowers employers to assure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It enhances workplace safety and minimizes legal risks, offering peace of mind.

By adhering to best practices, companies can rest easy, knowing they're fostering a safe and responsible work environment with reliable testing methods.

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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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