Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cat Creek, MT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substance use by locking biomarkers within the structure of the hair as it grows. If taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, hard to falsify, and simple to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be present, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it is specific to scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes confirming the sample’s seal and correct shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

For samples that test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), showcasing why hair drug screening is the most intricate method to carry out.

Confirmation of positive results from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes washing before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to cheating: It's extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thereby increasing result accuracy.
• Provides historical insights: It reflects a pattern of drug consumption over time, not only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual variations in hair growth may affect drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Cat Creek, MT, Hair follicle testing offers a superior alternative to traditional urine tests. With unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability, these tests serve as the preferred method for identifying substance use. Unlike urine testing, hair analysis provides a longer detection window, ensuring no drug goes unnoticed.

Extended Detection Window

One significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Cat Creek, MT is its extended detection window. It can uncover drug usage up to 90 days prior, offering employers a comprehensive view of an applicant's or employee's substance use history. This broad timeline aids in making informed decisions about workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Cat Creek, MT is notably tamper-resistant. This method reduces the chance of sample alteration significantly, thereby providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable. Employers can trust these outcomes knowing that the integrity of the test is upheld.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations, including local sites in Cat Creek, MT, accessing our services is quick and hassle-free. Our widespread centers ensure prompt and efficient testing for individuals and organizations, simplifying the process across the country.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cat Creek, MT, the process of hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and convenience, addressing any concerns related to ease of use and confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Cat Creek, MT, we combine affordable pricing with fast turnaround times for our hair follicle drug tests, providing exceptional value. Whether for small companies or large organizations, our competitive pricing structure and quick results offer peace of mind without compromising quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cat Creek, MT, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests offer precision and speed, quickly identifying substance use with unparalleled accuracy. This efficiency ensures that users get the necessary information without delay, boosting confidence in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cat Creek, MT find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, as it ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method helps mitigate legal risks and enhances the overall safety of the workplace, supporting a healthier work environment.

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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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