Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Power, MT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. By obtaining samples close to the scalp, hair can reveal information up to a roughly 3-month timeframe for the use of alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion comprising approximately 200 hair strands (about the equivalent width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, it is advised to gather 150mg of the sample. It is beneficial to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair might be used. Mention of head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair denotes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into a laboratory's system. This step includes verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may not provide.

Screening entails a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug consumption in the majority of samples, a positive finding must be confirmed to be legally defensible. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for preparation in the Extraction phase. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a more challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is carried out using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptive positive are washed before undergoing Confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have briefer detection periods.
• Challenging to compromise: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It delivers a usage pattern over an extended timeline, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Power, MT, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing through superior detection reliability and accuracy. While traditional tests may miss traces of drugs used over long periods, hair tests offer a comprehensive and detailed analysis.

The substantial advantage lies in hair testing's extensive detection window, which captures a fuller picture of an individual's substance use history compared to urine tests, ensuring higher trust in the results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Power, MT, provides an extensive detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days prior. This longer timeframe gives employers insights into an individual's prolonged drug use habits.

Such an extended detection period allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of a potential hire or current employee, supporting informed decision-making concerning substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Power, MT, the hair follicle testing method significantly reduces sample tampering and adulteration. This makes the test results highly reliable and difficult to dispute, offering peace of mind to employers and law enforcement agencies.

The rigorous collection process ensures the authenticity of the sample, safeguarding against the usual tricks employed to alter results in more traditional testing methods like urine.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our expansive network of testing centers nationwide ensures convenient access for all clients in Power, MT. This accessibility helps streamline the process, making drug testing quick and efficient.

With testing locations spread across the country, Accredited Drug Testing eliminates the hassle, ensuring that individuals and employers can easily find a nearby center to fulfill their testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering a hair follicle test in Power, MT, is straightforward, emphasizing confidentiality through every step. The process to schedule, collect, and receive results is simple, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

Our seamless procedure ensures that individuals and employers navigate the testing process with ease, securing results confidentially with a commitment to privacy and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Power, MT, offers competitive pricing coupled with fast turnaround times, delivering significant value for businesses of all scopes. These affordable options enable companies to maintain compliance without financial strain.

Our prompt delivery of results ensures that businesses can make timely decisions based on accurate data, enhancing the overall value of our testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled in Power, MT, offering swift and exact results. Leveraging advanced technology ensures high accuracy in identifying substance use, making it a reliable choice for employers and legal entities.

Hair tests deliver fast results, giving employers the critical data they need without delay. This quick turnaround aids in maintaining the integrity and safety of the workplace efficiently and effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Power, MT, ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, a vital factor in minimizing legal issues. It enhances safety, knowing the workforce is compliant and reliable in sensitive environments.

Employers can rest assured that this testing method offers proof of compliance, aiding in litigation avoidance and bolstering overall workplace security and employee well-being.

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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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