Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shubert, NE

What it is, How it works

Over time, hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers, offering a prolonged record of substance use as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair testing can reveal drugs and alcohol use within a period of up to three months. Moreover, hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil diameter) near the scalp provides approximately 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, additional tests, or more than 10-panel tests, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is advisable. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, the equivalent amount of body hair should be collected. The term head hair exclusively refers to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning corresponds to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s database. This phase ensures the sample is properly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves inputting extra data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening serves as a cost-efficient means to exclude drug consumption in most samples, a positive finding in Screening necessitates further confirmation to be deemed valid in legal proceedings. Presumptive positives from Screening must undergo additional verification.

Upon a sample showing a presumptive positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower intensities compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), which is why conducting hair drug screening is notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the accreditation standards of ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection timeframe.
• Resilient to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, enhancing accuracy.
• Displays usage history: Provides a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Variables like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle under the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Shubert, NE
When comparing drug testing methods, hair follicle tests stand out for their superior accuracy and reliability, offering clear advantages over traditional urine tests. In Shubert, NE, these tests provide comprehensive detection capabilities, reducing the risk of false negatives and ensuring a more dependable screening process for all involved parties.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Shubert, NE
Hair follicle testing is invaluable in Shubert, NE, due to its extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This provides employers with a detailed overview of an individual's drug use history. By capturing a broader timeline of substance use, it aids in making informed decisions regarding employment status and workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Shubert, NE
One of the key strengths of hair follicle testing in Shubert, NE, is its resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, these tests significantly minimize the likelihood of sample adulteration, providing consistent and incontrovertible results that stakeholders can trust, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Shubert, NE
With a network of testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience. In Shubert, NE, residents and businesses benefit from swift, hassle-free access to testing services, underscoring the ease and efficiency of hair follicle drug testing. Local accessibility ensures a streamlined process for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Shubert, NE
The process for ordering and receiving hair follicle drug test results in Shubert, NE, is designed to be simple and confidential. Every step prioritizes user privacy, from order to outcome, offering peace of mind and an effortless experience. Confidentiality is maintained without compromising convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Shubert, NE
Providing competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround, hair follicle drug testing in Shubert, NE, offers exceptional value. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable services without sacrificing efficiency, delivering financial savings and timely results that fortify their operational goals.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Shubert, NE
Hair follicle drug tests in Shubert, NE, excel in delivering rapid and precise results. Their superior accuracy ensures that substance use is detected effectively, providing peace of mind for employers and individuals alike. The testing method is designed to be swift, accommodating the needs of those who require quick and dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Shubert, NE
Utilizing hair follicle drug testing ensures compliance with stringent drug-free workplace policies in Shubert, NE. This not only mitigates legal risks but also fosters a safer working environment. Employers benefit from the assurance that they are upholding policy standards and protecting their workforce effectively.

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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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