Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wilber, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use over an approximate three-month time frame. It is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, optimal for both screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, collect an equivalent amount of body hair. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test involves four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the sample's initial integration into the lab system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and handling any additional data entry beyond what's provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary check for drug abuse. Although a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use on most samples, positive results require confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other tests (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screen results uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are thoroughly washed before confirmation where necessary. The complete laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty in deception: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, as opposed to merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent intake: Detectability of drugs in hair takes about five to seven days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests come at a higher cost compared to other methods.
• Result variation: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on hair strands rather than the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Wilber, NE

When it comes to drug testing, hair follicle tests offer significant advantages over traditional urine tests. The superior detection window and reliability make hair tests an exceptional choice, particularly for those needing a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history. Unlike urine tests, hair analyses cover up to 90 days of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Wilber, NE

Hair follicle testing in Wilber, NE, offers an extended detection window, tracing drug use up to 90 days. This gives employers a holistic indicator of an applicant's substance history. A comprehensive view means better-informed hiring or employment decisions, ensuring that only individuals compliant with company standards are retained.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Wilber, NE

The integrity of drug testing is crucial, which is why hair follicle tests are preferred for their tamper-resistant nature. In Wilber, NE, these tests significantly minimize the risk of sample manipulation, offering results that can be trusted. This reliability ensures that outcomes are genuine and unquestionable, adhering to the highest standards of testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Wilber, NE

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient, nationwide testing locations, including local centers in Wilber, NE. This facilitates a seamless process for those needing quick and hassle-free access to reliable testing services. Whether local or national, our testing centers prioritize speed, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Wilber, NE

In Wilber, NE, undergoing hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. The process—from ordering to receiving results—is designed for ease of use, ensuring privacy protection at every stage. This simplicity reassures individuals and businesses alike, emphasizing that handling concerns related to substance testing is uncomplicated.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Wilber, NE

For those in Wilber, NE, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing structures and a fast turnaround on results. This approach provides great value without compromising quality. With economical options and quick outputs, companies of all sizes can maintain peace of mind, knowing they are getting high-quality testing at a reasonable cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wilber, NE, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast and accurate results. These tests efficiently detect substance use, providing reliable data without delay. The precision of hair testing means potential substance abuse problems can be identified quickly, allowing for prompt action. This accuracy makes them a top choice for employers needing dependable testing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Wilber, NE

Using hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with workplace drug-free policies, fostering a safer work environment in Wilber, NE. Employers can have peace of mind knowing they are mitigating legal risks and upholding safety standards. This testing method’s robust detection window also provides clarity and reassurance.

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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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