Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mclean, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair provides a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drug presence. Hair is hassle-free to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 strands closest to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is the ideal volume for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest verifying specimen weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is a viable option. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair only, while "body hair" encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in laboratory processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the sample's initial integration into a lab’s system, ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to eliminate drug usage in the bulk of samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal admissibility. All presumptive positive samples from Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample exhibits presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation when required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a briefer detection period.
• Challenges in falsification: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Supplies historical insight: Hair drug testing can highlight a drug use pattern over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outperforms the conventional urine test in McLean, NE, due to its superior detection accuracy. While urine tests offer a shorter detection window, hair tests can detect drug use over a more extended period, offering a more comprehensive overview of usage trends.

The enhanced reliability of hair tests, with up to 90 days detection capability, makes them a favorable option for businesses looking to maintain high standards.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing is a significant advantage in McLean, NE. This method of testing can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers with an in-depth view of an individual's substance use history.

This extensive window is beneficial in creating a comprehensive profile of applicants or employees, ensuring thorough background checks and informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in McLean, NE, minimize the risks of sample adulteration, presenting a robust solution in drug testing. Unlike some other methods, altering a hair sample is nearly impossible, ensuring results are trustworthy.

For businesses seeking to ensure integrity in their drug testing protocols, hair testing offers unmatched resistance against manipulation or tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing locations nationwide, including in McLean, NE, simplify the process for individuals and businesses. Accredited Drug Testing provides easy access to testing services through numerous centers, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

This extensive network offers flexibility, accommodating the schedules of all clients by providing quick and convenient testing options close to home.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of conducting hair follicle tests in McLean, NE, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, Accredited Drug Testing ensures privacy and simplicity at every step of the way.

The emphasis on confidentiality reassures individuals that their privacy is protected, enhancing trust in the testing process and outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in McLean, NE, is known for its competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from this affordability, ensuring thorough and efficient drug testing without breaking the bank.

By offering both economic value and quick service, this testing service stands out as an excellent option for those seeking reliable results promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in McLean, NE, are unmatched. These tests provide highly accurate results, reliably detecting substance use. In comparison with other testing methods, hair analysis excels in identifying drug use, making it a preferred choice for many entities.

Employers value the rapid turn-around time and the detail provided by hair tests, ensuring they receive information swiftly without compromising on accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In McLean, NE, hair follicle testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By choosing this method, employers can significantly reduce legal risks, fostering a safe working environment.

For businesses, this approach alleviates the stress of non-compliance, providing peace of mind that their drug testing protocols are stringent and effective.

Drug Testing Near Mclean, NE

Laurel, NE

Hadar, NE

Hartington, NE

Bloomfield, NE

Plainview, NE

Carroll, NE

Coleridge, NE

Belden, NE

Foster, NE

Pierce, NE

Sholes, NE

Wausa, NE

Osmond, NE

Randolph, NE

Magnet, 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