Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Prosser, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers in the structure of the hair strand as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair gives a detection span of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches from roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into the lab's system. This step involves checking the proper seal and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data requirements not addressed by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary examination for commonly abused drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to discount drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally acceptable. Any samples that test positive during Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the main specimen and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a considerably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), thus making hair drug testing one of the most intricate methods to conduct.

Confirmation of a positive Screening result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positive are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests, which have a narrower detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, which enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can provide an overview of drug use behavior over a prolonged period, rather than solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result inconsistencies: Aspects such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug residues in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Prosser, NE, proves superior to urine testing through its enhanced detection accuracy and comprehensive coverage. Administered under controlled conditions, the likelihood of evading detection is minimal, in contrast to urine tests that can sometimes be compromised.

The detection window for hair tests extends far beyond urine analysis, often revealing drug use patterns over 90 days. This allows for a more complete assessment, and surpasses the shorter, limited timeframe of urine tests, offering a broader detection insight.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Prosser, NE, offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use history over approximately 90 days. This longer timeframe gives employers and evaluators a thorough view of an individual's substance habits beyond immediate usage.

Employing this method grants organizations the advantage of observing long-term behavior patterns, aiding in more informed decision-making processes, especially compared to testing types with shorter detection periods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

With hair follicle tests administered in Prosser, NE, organizations benefit from significantly reducing tampering risks. The test’s design minimizes the chances of adulteration, ensuring results are both reliable and indisputable.

This stringent method includes observed collection processes, further securing the integrity of the samples and increasing the accuracy of the findings, an assurance not easily found in some other testing forms.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides unparalleled convenience with nationwide testing centers, including in Prosser, NE, making the testing process quick, efficient, and hassle-free. Local availability ensures individuals and businesses can access necessary services without delay.

This extensive network simplifies coordination for business operations requiring consistent testing coverage, ensuring results are obtained swiftly from any location.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Prosser, NE, is both uncomplicated and confidential. From ordering to collection and receipt of results, every step is designed to maintain privacy and simplicity, addressing any concerns about confidentiality.

Such user-friendly procedures ensure participants can engage seamlessly with the testing without undue stress or complicated protocols, reinforcing a trustworthy testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Prosser, NE, our hair follicle testing services come with competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround, providing excellent value. Companies of all sizes can benefit from affordable options without sacrificing quality or timeliness.

This combination of cost-effectiveness and efficiency supports businesses in maintaining budgetary balance while securing reliable substance detection services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and precision of hair follicle drug testing in Prosser, NE, provide swift and reliable outcomes. Through state-of-the-art analysis, substances are detected accurately, ensuring the results are trustworthy. The rapid processing times complement its high accuracy rate, making hair testing a preferred choice for organizations requiring timely results.

Compared to other testing methods, hair follicle tests are designed to offer dependable outcomes, boosting confidence in the findings. This reliability supports various stakeholders, including employers and legal entities, in making informed decisions based on solid evidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By employing hair follicle testing, employers in Prosser, NE, can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing potential legal liabilities. This proactive approach bolsters workplace safety and supports regulatory adherence.

Beyond compliance, testing enhances peace of mind, ensuring that all employees are contributing to a safe, controlled work environment, and helping employers maintain a reputable organizational standing.

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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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