Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lewellen, NE

What it is, How it works

Recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair analysis offers a comprehensive history by preserving biomarkers within the hair’s expanding fibers. When collected near the scalp, it provides a drug detection period extending up to roughly three months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, tricky to tamper with, and convenient for shipment.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in width to a #2 pencil) from the scalp will yield 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For additional tests like EtG or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable volume of body hair can be used. ‘Head hair’ pertains specifically to scalp hair, while ‘body hair’ encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing procedure in the lab includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step where the sample is integrated into the lab’s system, ensuring it was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

During Screening, an initial rapid assessment occurs for detecting drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical method for initially dismissing drug use in most cases, validated evidence is required for legal admissibility, necessitating confirmation of a positive screen. Any samples showing potential positives in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample tests potentially positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and processed for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from the hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation for any positive findings in Screening is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All potentially positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under 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 can show drug intake for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are extremely challenging to cheat, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks usage history: It provides a drug use timeline, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs become identifiable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Across Lewellen, NE, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine analysis in multiple ways. Not only does it boast superior detection accuracy, but hair tests also provide reliability for assessing longer-term substance use. Compared to urine tests, which only catch recent drug use, hair tests provide a lasting record that ensures thoroughness and confidence in results.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Lewellen, NE can benefit from hair follicle testing’s extended detection window, which can trace drug use up to 90 days prior. This method offers a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance usage history, unlike other tests that fail to cover such prolonged periods, thus aiding more informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lewellen, NE, hair follicle testing is a robust option, significantly lowering the risks of sample adulteration. Its design ensures samples cannot be easily tampered with, ensuring that results are reliable and unmistakable. This mitigates concerns of illegitimate manipulation, assuring stakeholders of integrity in findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers nationwide, including local options in Lewellen, NE, Accredited Drug Testing ensures seamless access to drug testing services. The widespread availability facilitates quick, effortless, and stress-free testing sessions, affirming our commitment to accessible healthcare.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lewellen, NE, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, each step is designed with privacy in mind. This ensures that users enjoy a seamless experience while their information remains protected throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid results, Accredited Drug Testing in Lewellen, NE provides outstanding value. Our affordable pricing structure coupled with quick turnaround times is ideal for businesses of any scale, ensuring both cost-effectiveness and efficiency in obtaining drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lewellen, NE, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled. These tests are swift and highly accurate in determining substance use, providing results that stakeholders can trust. Hair testing ensures expedited outcomes, reducing the waiting time and offering reliable results for important decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lewellen, NE can maintain compliance and peace of mind by opting for hair follicle testing. This method not only supports workplace drug-free policies but also minimizes legal risks and enhances the safety of the work environment. It’s a decisive tool for employers preferring stringent drug screening practices.

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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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