Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Merriman, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair encapsulates a substantial timeline of drug and alcohol presence by ensnaring biomarkers within the structure of maturing hair strands. When secured near the scalp area, hair samples deliver an approximate 3-month timeframe for tracing alcohol and drug usage. Hair is easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

Securing a 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a standard #2 pencil) from the scalp area yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for comprehensive screening and validation. For testing in cases such as EtG, additional requested checks, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen. When scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair might be used instead. "Head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair in this context. "Body hair" references all other hair types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four essential stages in processing a drug test at the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into the lab's framework. This step includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, applying a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any relevant entries missing from the electronic chain of custody evaluations.

Screening consists of an initial tentative assessment for narcotics. While economical, Screening primarily excludes drug consumption in most specimens but necessitates verification for courtroom credibility. Any specimens that test tentatively positive in this stage demand further Confirmation.

Should the Screening phase yield a tentative positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than those found in other methods like urine tests or saliva analysis, making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Any positive screening outcomes are validated through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suggestively positive samples undergo a cleansing process ahead of Confirmation as required. Each phase from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can track drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which cover a shorter duration.
• Difficult to manipulate: Manipulating results in a hair drug test is challenging, ensuring higher accuracy.
• Archives historical usage: A pattern of drug consumption over time can be observed, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become identifiable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Higher costs: Hair drug evaluations typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Outcome variability: Differences such as hair pigmentation and personal hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite the designation "hair follicle tests", the assessment evaluates 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 Merriman, NE

The advantages of hair testing over traditional urine tests are significant. In Merriman, NE, hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, making them a preferable option for employers and organizations seeking thorough drug testing solutions.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Merriman, NE

Hair follicle testing in Merriman, NE, provides a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, capable of detecting drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This feature empowers employers with valuable information regarding applicants or employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Merriman, NE

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Merriman, NE, is its resistance to tampering. These tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, providing accurate and trustworthy results when they matter most.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Merriman, NE

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing centers, including local locations in Merriman, NE. Our extensive network ensures quick and hassle-free access to testing services for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Merriman, NE

Our drug testing process in Merriman, NE, is both simple and confidential. We prioritize privacy, ensuring the ordering, testing, and receiving results are straightforward, addressing any privacy concerns efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Merriman, NE

In Merriman, NE, our hair follicle testing services are known for competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value and assurance for businesses of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Merriman, NE

Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and swiftness in detecting substance use. In Merriman, NE, these tests offer unparalleled accuracy, ensuring fast, dependable results that make them an ideal choice for individuals and businesses alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Merriman, NE

Employers in Merriman, NE, can enjoy peace of mind while ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies using hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety and productivity.

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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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