Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Richfield, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered next to the scalp, hair can present up to an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to collect hair, relatively challenging to alter, and uncomplicated to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the standard sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent portion of body hair might be collected. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This task includes verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient approach to primarily rule out drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to ensure admissibility in court. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening indeed require further confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging methodology to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS procedures. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Improbability of deceit: It is exceptionally challenging to deceive a hair drug assessment, thereby enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can exhibit a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are usually costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Variability in outcomes: Aspects like hair color and individual growth rate variability can manipulate the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Richfield, NE: When comparing hair testing to traditional urine tests, hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests may detect recent substance use, hair follicle testing provides a broader overview of an individual's drug history, making it a more comprehensive solution for employers and other entities seeking to enforce zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Richfield, NE: Hair follicle testing excels in offering a detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing that of urine tests. This feature gives employers an extensive account of an individual’s substance history, aiding in making informed decisions about potential or current employees. This extended detection period is ideal for maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Richfield, NE: A significant advantage of hair follicle drug tests is their resistance to adulteration. Unlike urine samples, which can be easily tampered with, the results from a hair test are credible and nearly impossible to alter, offering employers and officials confidence in the test's validity and ensuring that the results are indisputable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Richfield, NE: Accredited Drug Testing guarantees hassle-free and efficient access to drug testing services with convenient testing centers nationwide, including Richfield, NE. Our widespread network ensures that scheduling a test is straightforward and accessible, catering to the needs of businesses and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Richfield, NE: The process for ordering, conducting, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests is designed to be uncomplicated and private. Addressing privacy concerns, our method ensures that clients in Richfield, NE, experience a seamless and discreet testing experience, enhancing user confidence and satisfaction.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Richfield, NE: Our competitive pricing and rapid response times reinforce the value we offer to businesses of all sizes in Richfield, NE. By providing economic testing solutions without compromising quality, we ensure that companies benefit from cost-effective services, alongside confidence in timely and accurate results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Richfield, NE: The efficiency and precision of hair follicle drug tests are undeniable. With their high accuracy in detecting substance use, these tests provide quick and reliable results, revolutionizing how drug testing is conducted. Employers in Richfield, NE, can benefit from this advanced testing methodology, ensuring that they receive the most accurate evaluation of substance use behavior.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Richfield, NE: Utilizing hair follicle testing can secure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities and enhancing organizational safety. For employers in Richfield, NE, this testing method offers peace of mind and helps in maintaining a robust and compliant workforce, critical in high-risk industries.

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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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