Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lockwood, MT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term history of substances due to biomarkers becoming embedded in the strands as hair grows. When taken near the scalp, this method can yield up to a 3-month period for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches from roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg of hair is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair is suitable. When discussing head hair, it pertains strictly to scalp hair. Body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing for a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial input of a sample into the lab’s system, ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any missing data entries that are not provided electronically.

Screening entails a preliminary check for the presence of illicit substances. Although Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a Screening positive must be verified for judicial purposes. Samples with potential positive results from Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening process, additional hair from the initial collection is extracted for the Extraction process. This involves isolating substances from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), thereby making hair drug testing the most complex method.

Confirmation of positive results from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with potential positive outcomes are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in alignment with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that have shorter detection periods.
• Challenge to manipulate: There is a high difficulty in tampering with a hair drug test, improving the reliability of results.
• Shows usage history: It can outline a timeline of substance use over time, rather than just indicate recent intake.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent intake: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing practices.
• Result variations: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth can impact the levels of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Often termed as “hair follicle tests”, the procedure examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lockwood, MT can be attributed to several factors. Unparalleled Detection: Hair tests offer superior accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests, providing clear advantages.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lockwood, MT makes hair follicle testing ideal for employers. With a detection period that extends up to 90 days, employers gain a thorough understanding of a person's substance history, essential for informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lockwood, MT is one of the strongest benefits of hair follicle tests. The risk of sample adulteration is minimized, ensuring results are trustworthy and beyond reproach.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lockwood, MT are pivotal for easy access to drug testing services. With multiple facilities available, obtaining a test is hassle-free and swift.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lockwood, MT reassures individuals about ordering and undergoing testing. Maintaining privacy and ease of use is central to our operations, guaranteeing customer confidence at every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lockwood, MT underscores our commitment to providing value. Our competitive pricing structures and quick results foster peace of mind for businesses regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Detection in Lockwood, MT is highlighted by the precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests. Accuracy in Results is unmatched when identifying substance use, making this method a preferred choice for those seeking reliable testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lockwood, MT are attainable through hair follicle testing. This method ensures alignment with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal exposure and promoting a secure 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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