Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Saint Bernard, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has evolved into an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial entry of a sample into a lab's system. This includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data input not provided by an electronic custody chain.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to eliminate drug presence in the majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening need a further confirmation.

If a sample shows a tentative positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and 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 briefer detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It is extremely hard to manipulate a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can display a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be discoverable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the assay itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Saint Bernard, NE stands out against urine tests for its superior detection capabilities. While urine tests can only detect recent drug usage, hair tests cover consumption over a 90-day period, offering unmatched reliability. They are particularly effective for workplaces with stringent drug-free policies, ensuring rigorous adherence and truthful results.

Extended Detection Window

In Saint Bernard, NE, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeframe captures long-term drug use patterns, offering employers or courts a complete look into an individual's substance history. The extended period is invaluable for evaluating lasting behavioral trends rather than short-term changes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Saint Bernard, NE significantly reduces the risk of result falsification. Hair samples are difficult to adulterate due to the observable collection process, providing employers and legal entities with data they can trust. This robust integrity makes hair testing a preferred choice for accurate, unbiased results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Saint Bernard, NE, accessing hair follicle testing is quick and hassle-free. Our extensive network ensures immediate availability of testing services within any city, allowing you to schedule tests effortlessly. The widespread location coverage prioritizes user convenience and accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Saint Bernard, NE, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Clients can order, take, and receive results with ease while ensuring privacy. The streamlined approach minimizes burden, making it a user-friendly experience that emphasizes security and confidentiality of personal data.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Saint Bernard, NE, our hair testing services provide excellent value. With competitive rates and quick results, companies of any size can confidently rely on this service for efficient and budget-conscious drug testing solutions, ensuring high quality meets affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Saint Bernard, NE, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are highly precise in detecting substance use, offering same-day testing and results within days. Accuracy rates are exceptionally high, ensuring confidence in findings. Hair tests effectively identify a wide range of substances, making them a superior choice for reliable screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Saint Bernard, NE can enjoy compliance and peace of mind by opting for hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks. It promotes a safe, compliant work environment, assuring management that employees uphold company standards for a drug-free workplace.

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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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