Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bruning, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a lengthy historical account of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to fake, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment from about 200 strands of hair (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond ten, a 150mg sample is preferred. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair only, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial entry of a sample into a laboratory system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry missed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial scan for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient way to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that show positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Presumptive positive findings from Screening prompt further hair extraction from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing positive are cleansed before proceeding to confirmation as needed. Every laboratory phase from Accessioning to Confirmation is critiqued under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection scope.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers behavioral trends: It tracks drug use patterns over time, beyond recent habits.

Limitations:

• Limited recent detection: Drug appearance in hair takes approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bruning, NE
Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests are limited to a short detection window, hair testing provides a comprehensive review of substance use history, making it invaluable for employers and authorities. The long-term insights it offers ensure no past drug use goes unnoticed.

Extended Detection Window

A key advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. Unlike other testing methods, hair testing in Bruning, NE can identify drug use up to 90 days prior. This allows employers to assess a more comprehensive substance use history of their staff or potential hires, promoting a safer and more reliable workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bruning, NE
The integrity of hair follicle tests is unmatched, significantly reducing risks of sample manipulation. In Bruning, NE, hair testing assures unquestionable reliability. By minimizing chances for adulteration, it delivers trustworthy results, safeguarding the truth and eliminating doubts about drug test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationwide testing centers, including local options in Bruning, NE, makes hair follicle testing easily accessible. Whether you're across the country or in Bruning, quick and hassle-free access to our testing facilities ensures simplicity and efficiency, meeting your drug testing needs with minimal fuss.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting hair follicle tests in Bruning, NE is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to obtaining results, the process is designed for ease and privacy. Addressing concerns about personal information, our testing system is both simple and secure, ensuring a comfortable experience for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bruning, NE, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Companies of all sizes will find great value and peace of mind in our competitive structures, ensuring that the benefits of precise and timely drug testing are accessible without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bruning, NE, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their swift and precise results. With a high accuracy level in detecting substance use, they are the preferred choice for those needing reliable results. Quick processing ensures that the information is available promptly, aiding in effective decision-making without delay. This efficiency showcases why hair testing is favored over other methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bruning, NE can rest easy with hair follicle testing. Adopting this method not only ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies but also mitigates legal risks and bolsters workplace safety. This testing method grants peace of mind by confirming compliance and promoting a substance-free environment.

Drug Testing Near Bruning, NE

Deshler, NE

Gilead, NE

Ong, NE

Milligan, NE

Daykin, NE

Tobias, NE

Davenport, NE

Hebron, NE

Alexandria, NE

Thayer, NE

Shickley, NE

Ohiowa, NE

Carleton, NE

Belvidere, NE

Strang, 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