Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Macy, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for detecting the presence of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a comprehensive history of drug and alcohol consumption by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is collected near the scalp, it offers up to a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing around 200 strands of hair (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for testing. For EtG tests, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair should be collected. Specifically, head hair refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry that wasn't included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial rapid check for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

Should a sample exhibit a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are eluted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is highly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Provides usage history: It can reveal a pattern of drug use across a timeline, rather than just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Hair takes around 5-7 days before drugs can be detected.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration levels in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test targets the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair and urine tests in Macy, NE, the benefits of hair testing are clear. Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability. Accredited Drug Testing provides assurance that this method not only identifies drug use effectively but also enhances overall trust in testing results.

Extended Detection Window

In Macy, NE, hair follicle testing excels in providing an extended detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. Businesses gain a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee’s substance habits, making it a powerful tool for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Macy, NE, significantly mitigate the potential for sample tampering. Accredited Drug Testing ensures tests remain secure and tamper-resistant, preserving the integrity of results and bolstering confidence in the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Accredited Drug Testing serving Macy, NE, and beyond, our widespread testing locations provide accessibility and convenience. Enjoy hassle-free testing services with nationwide centers designed for quick access, enabling easy testing process management.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Macy, NE, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Accredited Drug Testing makes it easy to order, conduct, and receive results, addressing concerns over privacy and offering a streamlined experience that's user-friendly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround distinguish hair follicle testing in Macy, NE. Accredited Drug Testing offers excellent value, ensuring companies receive timely results without breaking the budget, making effective screening accessible for all.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests set them apart in Macy, NE. With high accuracy in detecting substance use, these tests deliver timely and reliable results. Accredited Drug Testing ensures you get the answers you need without delay, making this method ideal for quick decision-making scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Macy, NE, hair follicle tests ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting a secure work environment. Accredited Drug Testing aids businesses in maintaining peace of mind and operational integrity through reliable testing.

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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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