Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Norman, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record keeper of alcohol and other drug use by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a retrospective detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the dimension of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. Measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale is suggested. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory system. It involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry required not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient technique to exclude drug consumption in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be considered valid in legal contexts. Samples that yield a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample present a presumptive positive outcome during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to perform.

Positive screening confirmations are executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples exhibiting presumptive positivity undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection timeframe.
• High resistance to manipulation: The difficulty in deceiving a hair drug test results in more reliable outcomes.
• Chronological data provision: It allows a pattern of drug use to be observed over time, rather than limited to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate usage: It generally requires 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is usually costlier compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself and not the hair follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Norman, NE, hair follicle drug testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. While urine tests are common, hair testing delivers superior detection accuracy, especially over extended periods. This method not only uncovers substance use effectively but also provides reliability that cannot be matched by urine tests, helping stakeholders make informed decisions.

Extended Detection Window

The value of hair follicle tests in Norman, NE lies in their ability to reveal drug use over a prolonged timeframe—up to 90 days. This expanded detection window gives employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, which is crucial when assessing potential hires or monitoring current employees for compliance. It offers an unmatched scope compared to other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Norman, NE, hair follicle testing stands out as a robust defense against tampering. Given their nature, hair samples are much more challenging to adulterate than other testing types, ensuring the integrity of the results. This reliability grants employers peace of mind, knowing they can depend on the authenticity of the test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience with numerous testing sites in Norman, NE and nationwide. Our expansive network ensures that drug testing services are locally accessible, facilitating a seamless experience for those in need. This accessibility allows for quick, hassle-free appointments that cater to both individual and corporate clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

For residents of Norman, NE, hair follicle drug testing is not only straightforward but also confidential. Our process ensures privacy while maintaining ease of ordering, sample collection, and result retrieval. Whether for personal or professional reasons, our services respect your discretion, making the experience as stress-free as possible.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Norman, NE, our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing combines with rapid turnaround times, providing exceptional value. This approach benefits businesses of all sizes, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining drug-free environments without incurring excessive costs. Affordable excellence is what we strive to deliver, ensuring peace of mind for our clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Norman, NE embraces the fast and precise nature of hair follicle drug testing. This technique is renowned for its accuracy in detecting substances, surpassing other methods in reliability. Employers and individuals seeking trusted results often choose hair follicle testing for its swift turnaround and dependable outcomes, providing clarity in situations where precision is essential.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Facilitating workplace safety, hair follicle testing in Norman, NE helps ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing organizational safety, these tests not only protect businesses but also foster a culture of trust and well-being, providing peace of mind for employers committed to maintaining a secure environment.

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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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