Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Miller, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective mechanism for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a prolonged historical record of alcohol and various drugs through the entrapment of biomarkers within the fibers of the progressing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximately 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is deemed the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning tasks involve the initial introduction of a sample into a lab’s system. This encompasses confirming the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid check for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for it to be permissible in court. Any samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples testing presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can recognize drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It can present a pattern of drug use over a duration, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: These tests, often termed "hair follicle tests", actually analyze the hair strands rather than the hair follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Miller, NE

In the realm of drug detection, hair testing outshines urine tests by offering longer detection windows and providing a comprehensive report on substance use. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests provide increased reliability and are less susceptible to manipulation. As a result, employers and agencies can trust the results for superior accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Miller, NE

Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage with its ability to reveal an individual's drug use history for up to 90 days. This extends beyond the limits of other testing methods, giving employers a comprehensive view over time. Thus, it's an ideal choice for those who need a thorough understanding of their applicants’ or employees’ substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Miller, NE

One of the critical benefits of hair follicle tests is their high resistance to tampering. These tests offer secure and trustworthy results, virtually eliminating the risk of sample substitution or adulteration. This reliability ensures that employers and institutions receive unquestionable results, maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Miller, NE

Accredited Drug Testing offers an extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including in Miller, making the process simple and accessible. With numerous locations, individuals and organizations can expect quick and hassle-free testing services, ensuring that convenience accompanies high-quality testing standards.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Miller, NE

The process for undergoing a hair follicle test is straightforward and confidential. From scheduling to receiving results, Accredited Drug Testing ensures privacy and ease of use throughout. Addressing concerns of confidentiality, the procedure is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring comfort and security for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Miller, NE

Our competitive pricing structure and expedited processing make hair follicle drug testing an excellent value for businesses of any size. By merging affordability with quick results, Accredited Drug Testing provides an attractive option for organizations seeking high-quality testing without compromising on speed or budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Miller, NE

Hair follicle drug tests lead in providing precise and swift outcomes. The accuracy in detecting substance use is exceptional, making it the preferred choice for many concerned about quick and dependable results. With the ability to trace various substances, these tests ensure thoroughness and efficiency, giving users the confidence they need in decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Miller, NE

Utilizing hair follicle tests aligns with workplace drug-free policies and helps employers stay compliant, minimizing legal risks. These tests promote workplace safety by ensuring that employees adhere to company guidelines. In the end, the use of hair tests provides companies with the peace of mind they seek regarding workplace policies.

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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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