Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Clyde Park, MT

What it is, How it works

Seen as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing offers a comprehensive history of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When cut close to the scalp, hair can deliver up to about a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and validating. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair. If scalp hair isn’t an option, an equivalent portion of body hair may be gathered. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair only, while body hair includes all other kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Processing a drug test result in the lab involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with processing a sample into a laboratory’s system, ensuring it was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. All samples that are presumed positive during Screening demand a subsequent confirmation.

In case a sample is presumed positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most complex methodologies to conduct.

Confirming any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. Each step from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug usage for a duration of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests only offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a drug usage pattern over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Detecting drugs in hair typically requires 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Frequently called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the hair strand instead of the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Clyde Park, MT

• Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests.
• The method provides enhanced reliability, especially in long-term substance use detection.
• Employers prefer hair testing for its comprehensive and dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Clyde Park, MT

• Hair follicle testing enables drug detection for up to 90 days.
• This extended window offers a thorough view of an individual's drug history.
• Employers gain insights into long-term substance use behavior of employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Clyde Park, MT

• Hair follicle tests greatly diminish the chance of sample tampering.
• The method guarantees credible and unquestioned results.
• It provides a dependable basis for making informed workplace decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Clyde Park, MT

• Our extensive network allows easy access to testing services across the nation.
• Local centers in Clyde Park offer quick, convenient ways to conduct tests.
• Users benefit from hassle-free appointments and service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Clyde Park, MT

• The hair testing procedure is straightforward and maintains confidentiality.
• Individuals can request, execute, and receive test results discreetly.
• Privacy is prioritized, making the process stress-free and trusted.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Clyde Park, MT

• We offer competitive pricing that is accessible to all company sizes.
• The quick result turnaround adds value and peace of mind for users.
• Our services provide excellent cost-effectiveness with swift results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Clyde Park, MT

• The hair follicle testing process provides swift, precise, and dependable outcomes.
• It boasts exceptional accuracy in detecting drug use, ensuring reliability.
• Employers can trust the results for informed decision-making in substance screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Clyde Park, MT

• Hair testing aligns with drug-free workplace policies, ensuring compliance.
• Employers reduce legal risks and increase safety standards with accurate testing.
• The method contributes to a safer, more secure work environment.

Drug Testing Near Clyde Park, MT

King Arthur Park, MT

Belgrade, MT

Ringling, MT

McLeod, MT

Bozeman, MT

Montana City, MT

Springhill, MT

Springdale, MT

Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT

Wineglass, MT

Park City, MT

Livingston, MT

Sedan, MT

Wilsall, MT

Shields Valley, MT

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews