Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Portage, MT

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

6 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Portage

Minutes Away, Test Today

1600 Division Rd12.35 miles

1600 Division Rd
Great Falls, MT 59404

1125 2nd Ave N Ste 312.59 miles

1125 2nd Ave N Ste 3
Great Falls, MT 59401

1201 Central Ave Ste 212.68 miles

1201 Central Ave Ste 2
Great Falls, MT 59401

1401 25th St S12.95 miles

1401 25th St S
Great Falls, MT 59405

401 15th Ave S, Ste 10713.94 miles

401 15th Ave S, Ste 107
Great Falls, MT 59405

1501 Saint Charles St23.97 miles

1501 Saint Charles St
Fort Benton, MT 59442

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments in Portage, Montana. For those in need of hair drug or alcohol evaluations, our company excels in hair testing and offers centers Nationwide for your convenience. Typically, a minimum of 1.5 to 2 inches of hair on the head or body is required for the test. Hair analysis can reveal drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored testing options.

Recently, hair follicle testing has gained popularity in drug assessments. Employers, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse professionals often mandate hair tests over conventional urine tests. Firms with zero-tolerance drug policies, courts, and probationers use these tests. The key advantage of hair testing is its extended detection window of up to 90 days, collected under observation, and almost impossible to falsify. However, for detecting recent drug use within 5 days, urine tests remain unsurpassed.

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are now considered an effective resource for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the fibers, hair provides an extended history of alcohol and other drugs. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for a period of up to roughly three months. It is easy to collect, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample, akin to the circumference of a #2 pencil, will produce 200 hair strands or 100mg—the perfect amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels above ten, 150mg of hair is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for measurement. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equal quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processes for a drug test result are composed of four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first phase, where a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. This stage covers checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a swift initial evaluation for substance abuse. Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most cases, but a positive outcome must be validated for court validity. Samples flagged as presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a confirmatory procedure.

For samples flagged as presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug screening presents the greatest challenge.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washes before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer shorter windows.
  • Cheating difficulty: It is extremely hard to deceive a hair drug test, increasing result reliability.
  • Depicts historical usage: It can show a drug usage pattern over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

  • Inability to detect recent use: Drugs need approximately 5-7 days to become discernible in hair.
  • Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other drug testing methods.
  • Result variability: Elements like hair color or individual growth rates can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although typically called "hair follicle tests", it is the hair strand that is analyzed, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels over urine tests in Portage, MT lies in its superior detection capabilities and reliability. Hair testing provides a broader detection window, covering up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter span.

Hair tests reduce the risk of tampering and offer greater assurance of accuracy, making them a preferred choice for many employers and legal entities committed to maintaining a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

The Extended Detection Window of hair follicle testing in Portage, MT is a key advantage, offering insights into drug use over a 90-day period. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance use history.

With hair testing, organizations can make informed decisions based on a much lengthier assessment period, ensuring a thorough evaluation of an individual's drug use behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reducing the Risk of Tampering is a notable benefit of hair follicle testing in Portage, MT. Unlike other methods, hair tests significantly minimize sample adulteration, delivering results that stakeholders can trust.

The meticulous collection process and the nature of hair samples make these tests reliable and robust, providing confidence in the test outcomes and ensuring fairness in drug testing practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Locations nationwide, including in Portage, MT, ensure that our drug test services are convenient for everyone. With numerous centers nationwide, testing becomes a hassle-free experience.

Clients can quickly find testing facilities nearby, streamlining the process and allowing individuals and organizations prompt access to essential drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Portage, MT is both simple and confidential. Our streamlined procedures for ordering, taking, and receiving results prioritize privacy and ease of use for all clients.

Our dedication to a confidential service assures clients of their privacy, making it an appealing option for organizations and individuals seeking discrete drug testing solutions.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and quick turnaround times characterize our hair follicle testing services in Portage, MT. We deliver excellent value, offering budget-friendly solutions for companies of any size.

By ensuring swift and cost-effective testing services, we provide businesses with peace of mind, knowing they receive high-quality assessments without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results are a hallmark of hair follicle drug testing in Portage, MT. By utilizing state-of-the-art methods, these tests deliver swift and precise assessments, reliably detecting substance use with high accuracy.

What sets hair follicle testing apart is its efficiency in processing samples, ensuring that detection of drugs is both accurate and timely. This attribute is particularly beneficial for employers seeking reliable and prompt drug screening solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance Assurance with workplace drug-free policies is achievable with hair follicle testing in Portage, MT. It mitigates legal risks, enhancing workplace safety while ensuring adherence to corporate policies.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are utilizing a test method that supports their commitment to maintaining a safe and drug-free workplace, effectively upholding regulatory standards.

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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Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

Customer Reviews

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Trish was amazing and got me through the sytem very fast and swift. I had a hard time hearing her a couple of times, but she was super sweet and helpful throughout the process. Highly recommend her!

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Quick, knowledgeable and courteous Janelle worked diligently to support me. I am recommending their services to anyone looking.

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