Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Naper, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is harvested near the scalp, it can reveal up to a 3-month period of substance activity. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp can produce 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. In this context, head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the stage where a sample is initially integrated into a lab’s network. This process includes confirming that the sample is adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial swift inspection for substances of misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug consumption in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates validation to be permissible in a court setting. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require additional confirmation.

Should a sample appear presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Drugs in this phase are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening as the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Provides historical data: It can delineate a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become apparent in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other methods of drug testing.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Naper, NE, demonstrates a marked superiority over traditional urine tests. It offers advanced detection accuracy, steadfast reliability, and an extended observation window. Employers and regulators benefit from its augmented scrutiny capabilities, reducing the chances of oversight due to the less frequent inaccuracies presented by urine testing. This methodology assures a robust and dependable evaluation of an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle testing technique excels in Naper, NE, thanks to its ability to monitor drug use over a significantly extended timeframe. Offering a retrospective of up to 90 days, this method grants employers a holistic view of a person's substance engagement. Such an expanded detection range surpasses alternative testing processes, equipping organizations with invaluable insights into patterns of drug use over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Naper, NE, upholds the integrity of hair follicle testing by mitigating unforeseen sample tampering risks. This test is inherently tamper-resistant, preventing preventable manipulations that compromise the integrity of urine samples. By maintaining a steadfast verification procedure, this method ensures that results remain authentic and trustworthy, fostering durable trust between testers and the evaluated party.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenience through an extensive network of testing sites, both nationwide and locally within Naper, NE. Our commitment to accessibility enables individuals and businesses to avail themselves of efficient, effortless testing services, reducing logistical constraints. This convenience contributes to an unobtrusive, stress-free experience, ensuring prompt service with minimal disruption.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Naper, NE, the simplicity and discretion of our hair follicle testing process afford utmost privacy and ease. From ordering to testing to receiving results, each step is designed with confidentiality and simplicity in mind, assuring individuals of personal data protection and straightforward interaction. This streamlined process enhances overall satisfaction and trust with our testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Naper, NE, are distinguished by competitive pricing and swift result delivery. Catering to businesses of varied sizes and scopes, we provide excellent value, ensuring pocket-friendly solutions without compromising quality or speed. The balance of affordability and expedited service positions us uniquely within the market landscape, enabling access to efficient testing with optimal financial prudence.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Naper, NE, hair follicle drug testing sets a new standard with its combination of speed, reliability, and precision. Unlike other methods, this test focuses on obtaining highly accurate readings, ensuring every result pinpoints substance usage with minimal errors. By employing advanced analytics within a swift timeframe, individuals and employers gain quick insights, making informed decisions with utmost confidence and integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Naper, NE, hair follicle testing significantly supports compliance with drug-free policies. By integrating this method, employers ensure alignment with legal standards, minimizing exposure to potential liabilities. This foresight not only promotes workforce fidelity but also curtails prospective safety risks, fostering an environment of trust and responsibility while granting peace of mind to management and staff alike.

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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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