Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Crow Agency, MT

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands record extended histories of substance use by embedding biomarkers in their structure. When taken near the scalp, they offer a possible detection window of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for testing and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional assessments, and/or more than 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be sourced. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory drug testing process comprises four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs. While cost-efficient for excluding drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-valid. Samples yielding positive presumptive results in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

When a sample is presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at notably lower concentrations than those in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug analysis the most intricate methodology to conduct.

Positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All potentially positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair title and follows the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can identify drug use over 90 days, unlike urine testing, which has a more limited detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical data: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth affect drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Crow Agency, MT, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Why is it better?

• Longer detection window of up to 90 days.
• Less susceptible to tampering.
• Reliable accuracy ensuring dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle testing method in Crow Agency, MT, offers an extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days of substance history. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use.
• Ideal for reflecting consistent long-term habits.
• Essential for employers to evaluate potential hires accurately.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Crow Agency, MT, hair follicle tests are notably resistant to tampering. Here's why:

• Difficult to alter or adulterate samples.
• Observed collection prevents fraudulent actions.
• Reliable results maintain the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Crow Agency, MT, the convenience of numerous testing centers enhances accessibility. Advantages include:

• Nationwide locations ensure easy access to services.
• Local availability negates travel inconveniences.
• Streamlined processes make testing effortless for participants.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Crow Agency, MT, our drug testing process remains simple and confidential. Here's how:

• Easy ordering and scheduling for tests.
• Discreet collection procedures safeguarding privacy.
• Prompt and confidential results delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and quick turnaround characterize our service in Crow Agency, MT. Key features:

• Competitive pricing makes testing accessible for all.
• Fast results turnaround ensures timely information.
• Excellent service value for businesses of varying sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test method in Crow Agency, MT, stands out for its accuracy and speed. Its precision in determining substance usage is unparalleled.

• Quick processing times mean faster results for employers and individuals.
• Highly reliable in identifying various substances.
• Ensures peace of mind through thorough analysis.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Crow Agency, MT, using hair follicle tests aids compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Benefits include:

• Reduces legal risks associated with workplace drug use.
• Enhances safety and productivity.
• Provides a credible standard for addressing employee substance use.

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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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