Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brainard, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures traces of alcohol and other substances within the strands as they grow, offering a comprehensive history over time. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage for nearly three months. This method is straightforward to conduct, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, composed of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp yields 100mg, providing an ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For thorough investigations such as EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding a 10-panel screening, a sample size of 150mg is preferred. It is advised to use a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable volume of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" pertains specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory workflow encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system, ensuring the sample's seal and shipment were intact, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not already supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial assessment for potential drugs. While it serves as a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive findings must be confirmed for courtroom validity. Samples that test positive initially will require further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair is collected from the initial sample for Extraction. In Extraction, drug concentrations are drawn from the hair at much lower levels compared to other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results are substantiated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Before confirmation, all positive samples are cleansed as required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review following both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair testing identifies drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have briefer detection periods.
• Difficult to tamper: The nature of hair drug tests prevents tampering, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals patterns of drug use over time, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Cost: Hair testing is generally pricier than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers a multitude of benefits in Brainard, NE, standing out against traditional urine exams. Exceptional detection accuracy highlights its superiority, assuring employers of an authentic report of substance use. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis unveils a broader window of drug activity, reinforcing its credibility and enhanced reliability compared to conventional methods.
Choosing hair testing demonstrates a commitment to stringent screening practices.

Extended Detection Window

By employing hair follicle testing in Brainard, NE, substance use is detectable up to 90 days back, providing employers with a thorough perspective of an individual's substance history. This extended detection range surpasses typical methods, making it indispensable for businesses that value a comprehensive assessment.
Such insights support informed hiring and monitoring decisions, ensuring a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests is a significant advantage in Brainard, NE. Minimizing risk of adulteration, it ensures authenticity in results that are virtually impossible to tamper with, contrasting with the vulnerabilities seen in some other testing methods.
This makes hair testing a preferred choice among employers who prioritize an unquestionable drug-testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationally distributed testing centers, including local facilities in Brainard, NE, provides easy access to hair follicle drug tests. Effortless appointments are assured, ensuring a seamless experience for all involved. Such broad access to testing locations simplifies processes, catering to various business and personal needs without hassle or delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Opting for hair follicle testing in Brainard, NE is both simple and confidential. From booking an appointment to receiving results, each step is designed with privacy and ease in mind. Individuals can rely on a streamlined approach that prioritizes their comfort, ensuring a stress-free experience in substance testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and swift processing times set hair follicle tests apart in Brainard, NE. Competitive rates coupled with fast turnaround ensure exceptional value for businesses of every size. Clients appreciate not only the cost-effectiveness but also the peace of mind provided by the quick delivery of accurate results.
This creates a robust framework for effective substance screening.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Brainard, NE, hair follicle drug tests deliver rapid and dependable outcomes. These assessments boast a high degree of accuracy, detecting substance use seamlessly. Their precision is noteworthy, making them an ideal choice for both personal and employment-related screening needs.
Individuals and businesses benefit as results are both swift and assuredly reliable, promoting an atmosphere of trust and accountability within any organization.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Brainard, NE, benefit from the use of hair follicle tests by ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies. These tests lower legal liabilities while elevating workplace safety. With reliable testing structures in place, companies experience both peace of mind and enhanced operational integrity.
The reassurance offered through such thorough testing is unparalleled.

Drug Testing Near Brainard, NE

Malmo, NE

Rising City, NE

Agnew, NE

Weston, NE

Prague, NE

Ulysses, NE

Bee, NE

Octavia, NE

Valparaiso, NE

Abie, NE

Touhy, NE

Garrison, NE

David City, NE

Bruno, NE

Dwight, 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