Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Farnam, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft, offering a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal an approximately 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. It's easy to collect, somewhat resistant to adulteration, and simple to ship.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is recommended to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, this pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary four steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into a laboratory's system. This process verifies that the sample has been properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid test for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to discount drug use for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are recovered from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed before confirmation, as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals historical data: It offers a timeline of drug use, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although sometimes termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Farnam, NE, hair follicle testing trumps traditional urine tests in numerous ways. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, key attributes in preventing drug use within the workplace. Their ability to identify substances over a prolonged period offers employers a clearer picture than a typical urine test.

Comparatively, urine tests may fall short in detection timeframes, capturing recent drug use but often missing patterns spanning months. Hair tests provide a deeper level of insight, leading to more informed decision-making.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Farnam, NE benefit from the extended detection period of hair follicle testing which can trace substance use up to a remarkable 90 days. This extended window offers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, making it a preferred choice for comprehensive screening.

Unlike other methods, hair testing provides continuous historical data rather than a snapshot, ensuring no part of the drug use timeline is overlooked, thus aiding better analysis in pre-employment screenings.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Farnam, NE, hair follicle testing is renowned for its robustness against sample tampering. This tamper-resistant method ensures peace of mind with every test, standing as a testament to its integrity and reliability for discerning drug use.

Hair samples are inherently more difficult to adulterate compared to other methods, providing employers with confidence in the test results and contributing to a healthier workplace environment predicated on honesty and transparency.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient access to testing facilities reduces hassle for both employers and employees alike. Farnam, NE benefits from nationwide testing center availability, allowing for smooth, hassle-free testing experiences wherever you are.

No matter where you reside, you're never far from one of our capable centers. This vast network ensures hands-on testing services are consistently available, maintaining the necessary speed and efficiency demanded in today's corporate settings.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Farnam, NE, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential, addressing all concerns regarding privacy and ease of use. From ordering to receiving results, each step is simplified to encourage seamless client experiences.

This streamlined method fosters a stress-free atmosphere, reassuring participants that confidentiality is prioritized, while employers derive the benefits of straightforward testing without cumbersome procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing coupled with fast turnaround times underscores the value offered by hair follicle testing in Farnam, NE. Competitive rates ensure even small companies can access these sophisticated services without financial strain.

Timeliness is key, and the swift processing of hair tests aids businesses in keeping operations smooth without waiting on extended timeframes, reinforcing economic efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Farnam, NE, the speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests place them ahead in the race for fast, reliable results. Hair follicle tests excel in detecting substance use, thanks to their unmatched accuracy and quick processing times, delivering timely information critical for employers.

The highly accurate readings of hair drug tests in Farnam allow professionals to confidently trust the outcomes. Turnaround times are significantly reduced, ensuring swift verification of results, which is crucial in maintaining workplace integrity and safety.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For businesses in Farnam, NE, using hair follicle testing strengthens compliance with workplace drug-free initiatives. It minimizes legal risks and fosters a safer working environment, enhancing overall peace of mind among employers.

Hair tests, with their detailed detection capability, help ensure policies are upheld, protecting against potential liabilities that could arise from substance misuse among employees, thus ensuring workplace safety and productivity.

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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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