Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Farwell, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug intake by trapping biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising roughly 200 strands (approximately pencil-thick) close to the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG tests, additional panels, and tests over 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's recommended to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Head hair refers only to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four crucial steps in the lab progression of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into a lab’s system. This includes checking that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial quick review for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in court. Any samples that test positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are pulled from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex method to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation when needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, ensuring more accurate results.
• Shows historical patterns: It provides a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Farwell, NE is evident in its unparalleled detection capabilities.
Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing offers longer detection periods, providing employers a broader substance use history.
The accuracy of hair analysis outshines urine tests, minimizing false negatives and assuring employers of a drug-free workforce.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a key feature of hair follicle testing in Farwell, NE. This method captures drug use history for up to 90 days, far surpassing urine tests.
Employers gain insights into an applicant's extensive substance history, enhancing hiring decisions and increasing workplace safety.
The broader detection period allows for comprehensive substance abuse checks, supporting vigilant work environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Farwell, NE signifies the superiority of hair follicle analysis over other testing forms.
Hair samples resist common adulteration techniques, offering dependable and unequivocal results.
This robustness in testing assures employers of the security and trustworthiness of the process, reducing doubts in results and compliance checks.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Farwell, NE ensure seamless access to testing services.
With a broad network of centers nationwide, as well as local sites, scheduling a test is straightforward and stress-free.
This widespread availability promotes efficient service delivery, emphasizing flexibility for employers and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Farwell, NE makes hair follicle testing accessible.
The ordering, testing, and results process is streamlined for user convenience.
Ensuring privacy, we've designed all interactions to be confidential, addressing concerns while making life simpler for both employers and clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Farwell, NE enhance the value of hair follicle testing services.
Competitive pricing strategies combined with quick results delivery provide businesses of all sizes with economical solutions.
This balance of cost and efficiency brings peace of mind, knowing quality isn’t sacrificed for affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are assured using hair follicle drug tests in Farwell, NE. These tests provide high-level precision in substance detection, making them a preferred choice.
The method's speed in delivering outcomes complements its accuracy, ensuring employers receive trustworthy data swiftly.
With hair follicle testing, determining recent drug use is efficient, keeping your workplace safe and compliant.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Farwell, NE is reinforced through hair follicle testing.
By integrating this robust testing method, companies uphold drug-free policy adherence, minimizing legal risks.
Trusting in hair tests ensures an environment where safety and consistent policy enforcement thrive, fostering a sense of security among staff and management alike.

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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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