Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Monowi, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a detailed timeline of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, fairly resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches containing roughly 200 hairs, approximately the width of a #2 pencil, close to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler's scale. If collecting scalp hair is not feasible, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the lab procedure of analyzing a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning focuses on the preliminary handling of a sample into the lab's system. It entails verifying the sample's sealing and shipping integrity, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data submission not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use on most samples, a positive screen demands subsequent confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples indicated as positive during screening need a confirming test.

If a sample is suggested to be positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and set up for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the toughest techniques to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suggested to be positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the 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 have a brief detection window.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It can portray a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result fluctuations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually assesses the hair strand and not the under-scalp hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Monowi, NE outperforms urine testing in several key aspects: it boasts superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Unlike traditional urine tests that can be limited to detecting recent drug use, hair tests can uncover a wider scope of substance history.

• Non-invasive with a collection process that is observed.
• Longer detection window adds reliability to the results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Monowi, NE offers an extended detection period for drug use.
This method can uncover substance history for up to 90 days, giving employers a comprehensive perspective.

• Ideal for assessing an applicant or employee's long-term drug usage patterns.
• Helps maintain a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle tests employed in Monowi, NE are designed to be tamper-resistant, significantly mitigating the risk of adulteration.
This testing method ensures the samples remain secure and trustworthy.

• Provides reliable results that are difficult to manipulate.
• Ensures accuracy and integrity in the drug testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Access to drug testing in Monowi, NE is streamlined through our convenient nationwide locations.
These centers ensure quick and efficient service, making the testing process hassle-free.

• Local presence in Monowi guarantees accessibility.
• Facilitates prompt service for individuals and businesses.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Monowi, NE is simple and confidential.
Ensuring privacy is maintained throughout, from ordering to results.

• Streamlined process addresses concerns of ease of use.
• Quick and straightforward steps reduce stress for test-takers.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Monowi, NE, hair follicle testing offers great value.
Our competitive rates and swift result delivery serve businesses of all sizes effectively.

• Provides companies with peace of mind without breaking the budget.
• Ensures timely insights into employee health and compliance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Monowi, NE, hair follicle drug testing provides fast, accurate, and reliable results.
This method swiftly and precisely identifies substance use, offering high detection accuracy. Its ability to reveal even trace amounts makes it a preferred choice for many organizations.

The promptness of the testing procedure ensures results are delivered quickly, meeting the needs of employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Monowi, NE who utilize hair follicle testing are afforded compliance and peace of mind.
Adopting this method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and fostering a safer workplace.

• Enhances overall employee 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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