Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Herman, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has garnered recognition as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol intake. The hair fiber captures drug and alcohol markers, offering a long-term record of consumption. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use history for an estimated 3-month time frame. Collection is straightforward, tamper-resistant, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) gathered near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and verification. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to use a 150mg specimen. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Mention of head hair pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of drug tests consists of four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into a lab’s system, ensuring proper sealing and shipment, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any additional data entry that the electronic chain of custody system does not cover.

Screening acts as a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method for dismissing drug usage in most samples, positive results must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Any samples with a tentative positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

In cases of tentative positive results in Screening, additional hair from the original sample undergoes Extraction preparation. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine, oral fluids), hence making hair screening the most complex testing procedure.

Any positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleansed before Confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Shows usage patterns: It reveals a record of substance usage over time, not just immediate past use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of catching recent use: Detection in hair takes about 5-7 days after intake.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other testing options.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentration can be affected by hair color and personal hair growth differences.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests," the examination targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why opt for hair testing in Herman, NE over traditional urine tests? Simply put, the detection accuracy and reliability of hair tests are superior.
Hair follicle tests offer an extended detection period that urine tests can't match, ensuring thorough evaluation.

Employers and institutions appreciate the precision of hair tests, as they provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests offer an impressive detection window, effectively identifying substance use for up to 90 days.
This prolonged detection period allows employers in Herman, NE to gain deeper insights into an individual's substance history.

By utilizing hair testing, employers can make more informed decisions, ensuring a safer workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Herman, NE is its resistance to tampering.
This testing method significantly reduces the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring authentic results.

The integrity of hair testing lies in its observed collection process, leaving little room for manipulation and assuring trustworthy outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide, including in Herman, NE, accessing drug testing services is both quick and convenient.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures hassle-free procedures wherever you are located.

Local facilities provide easy access, making the testing process streamlined and efficient for individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Herman, NE is designed to be simple and confidential.
Ordering, undergoing a test, and receiving results are straightforward, respecting privacy at every step.

Those who choose this testing method can be assured of a secure and user-friendly experience, alleviating concerns about confidentiality and complexity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Herman, NE, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle tests coupled with fast turnaround times.
This combination provides excellent value while ensuring dependable results without delay.

Our pricing structures cater to businesses of all sizes, delivering quality testing services without compromising on cost efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Herman, NE, hair follicle drug tests are known for their rapid and accurate detection of substance use. The results are both precise and swift, making this method reliable for identifying drug use history.
The high accuracy rate of hair testing assures that results remain consistent and dependable.

The efficiency of this testing process guarantees that results are made available quickly, providing peace of mind and enabling timely decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Herman, NE provides employers with peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
It reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, making it a strategic choice for employers.

By choosing hair testing, businesses can maintain a safer environment, aligning with zero-tolerance policies for substance abuse.

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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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