Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hardy, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair, hair offers a prolonged record of substance use. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reflect substance use history for a duration of up to three months. It is straightforward to gather, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing about 200 hairs (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimum quantity for both preliminary screening and detailed confirmation. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, a corresponding volume of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The fundamental steps of laboratory drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This process includes checking that the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may not provide.

Screening consists of a preliminary swift screening for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Samples that show presumptively positive results during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

In cases where a sample shows a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than that found in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to carry out.

To confirm any positive results from screening, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are utilized. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo cleansing prior to confirmation when necessary. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is audited according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection duration: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical usage data: It reveals a trend of substance use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect current use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally cost more than other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Attributes like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Hardy, NE

Hair testing is superior to traditional urine tests in terms of detection accuracy and overall reliability. The key benefit lies in its ability to uncover substance use over a longer period, providing clearer insights into an individual's history of drug use.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing offers a more robust detection mechanism that remains tamper-resistant and less susceptible to manipulation, making it a favored approach among employers and legal entities.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window Using Hair Testing in Hardy, NE

Hair follicle testing boasts an impressive detection window of up to 90 days, far superior to urine tests. This extended period offers employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s drug use history over the past few months.

A longer detection window is beneficial in assessing an employee's or a candidate's suitability for roles where drug-free conduct is crucial. This comprehensive view aids in maintaining a safe and productive environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Proof Testing in Hardy, NE

Hair follicle tests significantly diminish the likelihood of sample tampering. Unlike other methods where adulteration is possible, these tests offer reliable results that are beyond dispute.

With stringent collection processes in place, hair testing ensures that the outcomes are consistent and trustworthy, giving both employers and individuals peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Easily Accessible Testing Centers Nationwide Including Hardy, NE

Our nationwide network of testing facilities ensures convenient access to hair testing services. Whether you are in Hardy or elsewhere, accessing our services is straightforward, quick, and without hassle.

Availability of local and national testing locations makes it easier for individuals and employers to manage drug testing requirements efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Private Testing Process in Hardy, NE

The hair testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns individuals may have. The procedure for ordering, conducting tests, and receiving results is straightforward and consumer-friendly.

Confidentiality is of utmost importance, and our system ensures that personal information remains secure, providing users with peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing with Rapid Results in Hardy, NE

Our pricing structures are designed to offer excellent value without compromising on the quality of results. Fast turnaround times ensure that companies, regardless of size, receive timely information to make informed decisions.

With accessible pricing and efficient service delivery, businesses can maintain their operational standards while benefiting from reliable testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Swift, Precise, and Reliable Outcomes in Hardy, NE

Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed in identifying substance use. These tests are equipped with high accuracy, ensuring that any traces of drugs are detected efficiently. When time is of the essence, these tests deliver reliable results quickly.

The ability to process results swiftly is an essential feature of hair follicle testing. Not only do you get rapid outcomes, but you also benefit from results that you can trust, making it a preferred choice in many circumstances.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Employer Assurance in Hardy, NE

Implementing hair follicle testing aligns with maintaining workplace drug-free policies and reduces potential legal complications. As it offers a much wider detection window, this testing method supports employers in upholding safety and integrity in the workplace.

Compliance with hair follicle testing helps businesses safeguard against liabilities and fosters a culture of security and responsibility.

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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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