Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Barneston, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations have gained recognition as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. When sampled near the scalp, hair can present up to roughly three months' worth of detection for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to mail.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For EtG, additional parameters, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, it's suggested to have 150mg of the sample. We propose using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it is specific to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Insight

The laboratory workflow for generating a drug test result encompasses four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the preliminary procedure of incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an efficient way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for judicial acceptability. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary validation.

If during the Screening phase a sample is deemed presumptively positive, more hair is selected from the initial specimen for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting hair drug analysis as the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes assessment under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation per ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Prolonged detection timeframe: Hair drug assessments can recognize drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine evaluations which have briefer detection periods.
• Hard to outmaneuver: Manipulating a hair drug test is notably tough, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Presents historical insight: It offers a depiction of continuous drug use over a period, not just recent ingestion.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of sensing recent intake: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug evaluation methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth impact the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug testing methods in Barneston, NE, hair follicle testing provides significant benefits over traditional urine tests. Superior in detection accuracy and reliability, hair tests exhibit an ability to assess substance use over extended periods.
While urine tests may capture recent drug activity, hair follicle evaluations offer a more comprehensive analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Barneston, NE, effectively extends the drug detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This comprehensive screening offers employers a detailed view of an individual’s substance history, far exceeding the limitations of other methods.
Such extensive insight helps maintain a drug-free environment and enhance workplace integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Barneston, NE, significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering, ensuring that results remain reliable and indisputable. Unlike other methods, where samples can be altered, hair tests preserve the integrity of results.
Employers and authorities benefit from this robust testing methodology, preventing dishonest practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers accessible nationwide and in Barneston, NE, the convenience offered by Accredited Drug Testing is undeniable. Quick, simple access to testing services ensures a hassle-free experience for all individuals.
This widespread availability guarantees prompt service and minimal disruption to daily activities.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Barneston, NE, hair follicle testing revolves around simplicity and confidentiality. The methodical process for ordering, conducting, and receiving results ensures personal privacy while maintaining ease of use for all.
Users can rest assured that their testing experience respects their privacy rights.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

At Accredited Drug Testing in Barneston, NE, our competitive pricing and swift turnaround time reinforce our commitment to delivering great value. Our services are tailored to fit companies of all sizes, promoting efficiency and peace of mind through affordable drug testing solutions.
This approach ensures cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Barneston, NE, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and reliability. These tests excel in rapid and accurate detection of substances, ensuring dependable results. The innovation in technology guarantees that individuals receive timely and precise information, enhancing trust in this method.
The straightforward testing process in Barneston ensures peace of mind for all users.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Barneston, NE, benefit from hair follicle testing's role in ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method reduces legal threats and boosts workplace safety through consistent monitoring.
Choosing hair testing provides employers with peace of mind, knowing their environment adheres to standards.

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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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