Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edgar, NE

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository for a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When acquired near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month duration for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, moderately challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) next to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred sample for examination and validation. For EtG, additional add-ons, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent portion of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps involved in laboratory processing for a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample into a lab's database. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage in the majority of cases, a positive result must be confirmed to be admissible in court. Any samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening require further confirmation.

In case a sample displays presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of positive Screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positivity are washed before Confirmation as deemed necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is notably hard to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage trends: It reveals a drug usage pattern over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost considerations: Hair drug tests are generally more costly compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Edgar, NE
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests, hair testing offers notable advantages. It provides higher accuracy and reliability, ensuring that drug use is thoroughly detected. Employers seeking superior methods for screening will find hair testing advantageous due to its enhanced detection capabilities.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Edgar, NE
Hair follicle testing is exceptionally beneficial due to its ability to reveal drug use over an extended duration, up to 90 days. This comprehensive view provides employers with critical insights into an individual's substance history, making it an invaluable tool for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Edgar, NE
Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the potential for sample adulteration. This tamper-resistant method ensures the integrity of the results, providing irrefutable evidence of substance use. The reliability of hair testing makes it a preferred choice for accurate drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Edgar, NE
Our widespread testing centers offer nationwide convenience, allowing for quick and straightforward access to our services. Residents of Edgar, NE, benefit from minimal disruption, as local facilities are readily available to accommodate their testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Edgar, NE
The process of ordering, completing, and receiving hair test results is both straightforward and confidential. Our streamlined approach ensures privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns about the security of your personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Edgar, NE
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. Our affordable structures ensure excellent value, providing peace of mind for businesses looking to implement or maintain effective drug testing programs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Edgar, NE
Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and swift results. This method accurately detects substance use, assuring that the results you receive are dependable. By opting for hair tests, individuals and employers benefit from a superior detection tool that efficiently captures the necessary information.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Edgar, NE
Utilizing hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks while promoting safety. Employers can rest assured that this testing method supports their commitment to a secure and compliant work environment.

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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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