Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kennard, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are recognized as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extended timeline of substance markers by capturing them within the strand’s fibers as it grows. A sample collected close to the roots can offer up to a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair samples are easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary analyses, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it's recommended to use 150mg. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair can't be obtained, an equivalent volume of body hair can be utilized. when discussing head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encapsulates all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core procedures in laboratory analysis of drug tests are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with introducing a sample into a lab system. It covers the confirmation that the sample is sealed and transported correctly, designating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data entry not captured electronically.

Screening includes a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. While it is an economical way to dismiss drug usage in most cases, any positive result requires confirmation to be suitable for legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptive positive during Screening do mandate further verification.

For samples testing presumptive positive at Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial collection for Extraction. This phase entails isolating substances from hair at much lower levels compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral swabs), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most nuanced analysis.

Verification of any positive outcomes from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Any samples presumed positive are meticulously washed before verification where necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Verification is fully audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug assessments:

• Extended detection period: Hair assessments can trace drug use up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests, which have a briefer detection span.
• High resilience to test manipulation: Cheating a hair assessment is exceptionally challenging, lending more reliability to the results.
• Reveals usage history: It reveals a pattern of substance use over multiple months, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect immediate use: Drugs typically require 5-7 days to become identifiable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair assessments generally incur higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Elements like hair color and personal growth rates can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Termed as "hair follicle tests" at times, the analysis is conducted on the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Despite being a common method, urine testing falls short in several aspects when compared to hair follicle testing in Kennard, NE.

Hair follicle tests offer a wider window for detection, making them more effective at revealing patterns of drug use over time.

The reliability of hair testing surpasses that of urine tests, delivering results that are less susceptible to manipulation and tampering.

Extended Detection Window

One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, which can track drug use up to 90 days in Kennard, NE.

This extended window provides employers with a comprehensive overview of a potential or current employee's substance use history.

By covering a more extended period, hair follicle tests offer a more thorough picture of an individual's behavioral patterns regarding drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in Kennard, NE, is designed to reduce tampering, ensuring each sample remains valid and reliable.

Compared to other methods, such as urine testing, hair samples are harder to adulterate, leading to more credible results.

This tamper-resistant quality provides peace of mind to those depending on the tests for accurate assessments of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers, both nationwide and locally in Kennard, NE, accessibility to hair follicle testing has never been easier.

The convenience of these locations ensures quick and stress-free access for individuals and businesses requiring testing services.

Offering widespread availability allows companies to process tests efficiently without encountering logistical delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Kennard, NE, is straightforward and confidential, emphasizing ease of use.

From ordering a test to receiving results, the steps are designed to respect privacy and maintain discretion throughout.

This simple process put individuals at ease and ensures that confidentiality remains paramount at every testing stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing structures in Kennard, NE, make hair follicle testing accessible to companies of varying sizes and needs.

The competitive pricing ensures excellent value, along with a fast turnaround time, providing peace of mind faster.

Our pricing strategy ensures that businesses can rely on an effective testing solution without straining their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests in Kennard, NE, make them a standout choice for many seeking reliable detection methods.

Hair follicle tests offer a faster turnaround time compared to other testing methods, delivering results quickly without compromising precision.

Substance detection through hair follicle tests is highly accurate, ensuring that employers receive trustworthy results wherever and whenever needed.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Kennard, NE, helps businesses achieve compliance with their drug-free workplace policies.

This test type aids in minimizing legal risks by offering a robust method for verifying adherence to company substance use guidelines.

With hair follicle testing, employers enhance safety by confidently maintaining a drug-free work environment.

Drug Testing Near Kennard, NE

Leshara, NE

Boys Town, NE

Nickerson, NE

Herman, NE

Waterloo, NE

Irvington, NE

Elkhorn, NE

Fontanelle, NE

King Lake, NE

Fort Calhoun, NE

Bennington, NE

Arlington, NE

Elk City, NE

Blair, NE

Washington, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews