Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eustis, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying substance and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug usage by trapping biomarkers within the hair shaft during growth. A sample taken from near the scalp can reveal substance use over a period of up to three months. Collecting hair is easy, challenging to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equates to 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, it is advised to collect 150mg. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When citing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively; body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal stages of lab processing for a drug analysis result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. It involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allotting a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and entering additional data not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails a basic initial check for substances of abuse. This is a cost-effective initial examination for most samples but requires further confirmation when results are positive for legal admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive necessitate further confirmation.

A sample testing positive in the Screening phase prompts an additional hair pull from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations from hair compared to other methods (like urine or saliva), making hair drug screening exceptionally complex.

Positive screening confirmations are performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The whole process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, contrasting urine tests with a shorter detection range.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals drug use patterns over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent intake: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expenses: Hair drug analysis tends to cost more than other methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine testing in Eustis, NE, hair testing emerges superior due to its excellent detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer a more comprehensive analysis, identifying drug use over a longer timeframe.

This enhanced accuracy is beneficial for employers needing to enforce strict drug policies, ensuring a drug-free work environment.

Extended Detection Window

One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing in Eustis, NE, is its extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This offers employers a more complete understanding of an individual's drug history, useful for making informed hiring or disciplinary decisions.

With hair testing, there's a broader detection spectrum, encompassing a longer period which is critical for positions where substance use could compromise safety or performance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are a tamper-resistant method of drug testing available in Eustis, NE, minimizing sample adulteration risks. This testing approach ensures authentic and unquestionable results, providing reassurance for employers and legal bodies alike.

The integrity and reliability of these tests mean they stand as a robust barrier against fraudulent manipulation, enhancing trust in the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Conveniently located testing centers nationwide, including options in Eustis, NE, make drug testing services easily accessible. Our network ensures a fast and hassle-free process, relieving the burden on employers and individuals seeking reliable testing.

The widespread availability of our centers underscores our commitment to providing swift and effortless testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Eustis, NE, our drug testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. We prioritize privacy and user-friendliness, ensuring that the entire experience is discreet and straightforward for each client.

This focus on confidentiality reassures individuals concerned about privacy, fostering trust and satisfaction with our services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for clients in Eustis, NE, driving excellent value and assurance for businesses of all scales. Our competitive rates align with industry standards yet prioritize timely delivery of results.

Efficiency in service delivery enhances client confidence, making us a prime choice for cost-effective and reliable drug testing options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Eustis, NE, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast and accurate results. They boast high precision in identifying substance use, providing dependable outcomes that employers and individuals can trust.

These tests efficiently deliver quick results, streamlining the decision-making process for both personal and professional needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Eustis, NE, achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This testing method assures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks while promoting a safe and responsible work environment.

By integrating hair testing, companies reinforce their commitment to maintaining a secure and health-conscious business operation.

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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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