Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Vista, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term history of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. If gathered near the scalp, it can provide an approximately 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of nearly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, the equivalent amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails processing a sample into the lab's system. This process includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial quick assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result mandates confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any presumptive positive results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests ascertain drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Provides usage patterns: It can delineate a timeline of drug use rather than just the most recent instances.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites.

Note: Despite the frequent term "hair follicle tests," the analysis concerns the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in La Vista, NE
When contrasting hair follicle tests with standard urine tests, the advantages become apparent. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability. This means that detection is not only more precise, but it also spans a longer timeframe, providing a more comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in La Vista, NE
One of the significant benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, reaching up to 90 days. This timeframe provides employers with a thorough assessment of an employee or candidate's history with substances, facilitating better-informed hiring and management decisions in the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in La Vista, NE
The hair follicle testing method drastically reduces the risks associated with sample tampering. It offers results that are both trustworthy and incontestable. This feature is particularly appealing for employers and legal entities seeking assurance and integrity in test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in La Vista, NE
Accredited Drug Testing offers a network of testing centers across the nation, including local places in La Vista, NE. This extensive reach ensures that drug testing services are readily accessible, making the process quick, convenient, and hassle-free for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in La Vista, NE
The procedure for hair follicle testing is straightforward and private. From ordering the test to providing samples and obtaining results, the entire process is designed to be as simple and confidential as possible, effectively addressing concerns about privacy and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in La Vista, NE
With competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in La Vista, NE, ensures excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our efficient processes mean that businesses can obtain necessary test results without unnecessary delays, supporting confident decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in La Vista, NE
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and rapid results. This testing technique offers a reliable way to detect substance use with minimal chances of error. In comparison to other methods, hair testing stands out for its robust accuracy, ensuring employers and authorities in La Vista, NE, can trust the results they receive.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in La Vista, NE
Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal liabilities. This not only bolsters a safer working environment but also grants employers peace of mind, knowing they are maintaining compliance with prevailing regulations.

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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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