Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Keene, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by storing biomarkers within the expanding strands. When taken from near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, it's less prone to tampering, and it ships easily.

Gathering a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or for tests exceeding 10 panels, it's advised to collect 150mg of hair. It's suggested to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of drug test results in a lab includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step where the sample first enters the lab's system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inserts any additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial assessment for drugs. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug usage in most cases, confirmed positives are needed for court admissibility. Samples that show presumptive positives in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

For samples that test presumptive positive during Screening, further hair is extracted and readied for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are withdrawn from the hair at a lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening notably complex.

Any positive screening outcome is validated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for nearly 90 days, unlike urine tests, which cover a shorter span.
• Difficulty to falsify: It's challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Charts usage history: Hair testing can display a timeline of drug use over an extended period.

Limitations:

• Can't detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Costs: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variation: Differences like hair color and personal hair growth rates can alter the drug metabolite concentration found in hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", the assessment targets the hair strand instead of the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing presents several advantages over traditional urine tests in Keene, NE. One significant benefit is superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which may only detect recent usage, a hair follicle test uncovers a longer timeline of drug use. This results in a comprehensive look at an individual's substance use history.

The process of hair testing mitigates the risk of sample tampering, providing a more trustworthy assessment. Employers in Keene, NE can thus conduct screenings with increased confidence, ensuring that their employees adhere to drug-free policies. The hair test stands as a robust tool, offering insights that urine tests simply cannot match.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Keene, NE boasts an extended detection window, up to 90 days, making it a superior option for assessing substance use. This comprehensive timeframe offers employers a broader perspective on behavior patterns, beyond what urine tests can capture. It paints a fuller picture of an applicant's or employee's drug history.

Employers benefit from understanding long-term substance use behaviors, aiding in better assessment of candidate suitability. By providing a wider window of detection, hair testing supports informed hiring and monitoring decisions, crucial for maintaining a safe workplace environment in Keene, NE.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The protocols of hair follicle testing in Keene, NE are structured to significantly reduce the potential for sample manipulation. This method is highly resistant to adulteration, ensuring the integrity of test results. Uncompromised outcomes are vital for accurate employee assessments, adhering to stringent workplace standards.

Employers can rely on the hair test's tamper-resistant design, which enhances the credibility of results. Unlike other methods, it eliminates doubts about sample authenticity, providing peace of mind that the findings truly represent the individual's substance use status. This aspect is a core feature of why hair testing is a preferred method in Keene, NE.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Keene, NE, convenience is key with testing centers located nationwide, ensuring a seamless experience for all needing a hair follicle drug test. Our extensive network allows for rapid and easy access to testing services, making it accessible for all town residents. With numerous local centers always nearby, tests are never out of reach.

The process is straightforward, eliminating hassle and delivering efficient testing solutions. No matter where you are, finding a convenient testing center is quick and effortless, reinforcing why hair follicle testing is preferred.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Keene, NE is simple and confidential. With Accredited Drug Testing, placing an order is straightforward, the procedure is brief, and results are delivered with particular attention to privacy and ease. From start to finish, confidentiality is ensured for all participants.

Our system is user-friendly, prioritizing your comfort through each step. At Accredited, we recognize the concerns around privacy and have designed our method to be both discreet and straightforward, providing reliable results with minimal inconvenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Keene, NE stands out with its competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle drug tests. Our pricing structures are designed to offer excellent value, making comprehensive substance screenings accessible for businesses of all sizes. Quick processing times ensure that companies receive results promptly.

Effective drug testing doesn't have to be expensive. By choosing Accredited, employers benefit from affordability and efficiency, receiving quality service that enhances workplace safety and operational peace of mind effortlessly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers unparalleled precision and remarkable speed in detecting substance use. In Keene, NE, this method ensures an efficient and reliable analysis, giving employers confidence in the results. These tests are designed with a focus on accuracy, quickly screening for drug use and providing results that reflect the user's history with great clarity.

With Accredited Drug Testing's modern facilities, you'll experience fast turnarounds without compromising accuracy. The combination of advanced technology and experienced professionals ensures that results are both timely and highly accurate. This high level of precision is key to maintaining a safe and drug-free environment in Keene, NE.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing the hair follicle test in Keene, NE significantly enhances compliance with workplace drug policies, bolstering peace of mind for employers. This method reduces legal risks and contributes to a secure working environment by thoroughly verifying employee adherence to drug-free standards.

Employers appreciate the reliable assurance provided by hair testing, knowing it aligns with zero-tolerance regulations and enhances safety protocols. It reflects a commitment to a drug-free workplace culture, guiding companies in maintaining compliance effectively and comprehensively.

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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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