Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harvard, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. It offers a comprehensive history of substance use by retaining biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use within an approximately three-month timeframe. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional tests, or tests that exceed 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. When we mention head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into a lab’s system. This step involves checking the sample’s seal and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that is not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment to check for drugs of abuse. Whilst Screening offers a cost-effective approach to rule out drug consumption in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Samples that have presumptively positive results in Screening need secondary verification.

If a sample shows a presumptively positive result during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing highly complex.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive findings are washed prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can register drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more restricted detection timeframe.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly hard, leading to more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over an extended period, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs generally require 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variances: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the test itself analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Harvard, NE
In comparison to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability. As employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals increasingly opt for hair tests, they benefit from a longer detection window, reducing the chance of evasion or manipulation during testing, making hair testing a more definitive option.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Harvard, NE
Hair follicle testing allows for drug use detection over an extended period, up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive look into an individual's substance history. This extended detection window gives employers and decision-makers in Harvard, NE valuable insights into an applicant or employee's long-term habits, aiding in informed evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Harvard, NE
Significantly reducing the risk of tampering, hair follicle tests ensure reliable and unquestionable outcomes. Unlike other methods, the hair follicle approach prevents sample adulteration, offering a robust testing option that employers and legal entities can trust for accurate substance use assessment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Harvard, NE
Our widespread national presence ensures easy access to testing services. With testing centers readily available in any area, including Harvard, NE, clients benefit from quick and hassle-free testing, minimizing inconvenience while providing reliable and accessible drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Harvard, NE
The straightforward and private nature of the hair follicle testing process means ordering, taking, and receiving results is hassle-free. Those concerned with privacy can be assured of the ease and confidentiality throughout the testing process, accommodating any apprehensions seamlessly in Harvard, NE.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Harvard, NE
Our competitive pricing structures and swift turnaround times provide outstanding value for businesses of all sizes. Assuring peace of mind, hair follicle testing delivers cost-effective solutions without compromising on speed or accuracy in the results provided.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Harvard, NE
Hair follicle testing stands out for its remarkable precision and speed in identifying substance use. This method offers unmatched accuracy, ensuring that employers receive comprehensive and trustworthy data on an individual's drug history. Its ability to provide quick and dependable results makes it a preferred choice for reliable drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Harvard, NE
Employing hair follicle testing helps ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety. For Harvard, NE employers, this method supports maintaining a secure work environment while reinforcing their commitment to a substance-free workplace.

Drug Testing Near Harvard, NE

Hansen, NE

Fairfield, NE

Sutton, NE

Glenvil, NE

Giltner, NE

Stockham, NE

Trumbull, NE

Saronville, NE

Clay Center, NE

Inland, NE

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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