Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shepherd, MT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term record of alcohol and drug use due to the capture of biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. By collecting hair close to the scalp, it can reveal a detection span of up to approximately 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the preferred sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not obtainable, collecting a similar amount of body hair is an option. When referring to head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into the lab’s system. This entails confirming the sample was sealed and transported properly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for drug abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive Screen necessitates confirmation to be accepted in legal proceedings. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

In cases where a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is removed from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, marking hair drug screening as the most complex methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is verified under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical data: It provides a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually costlier than alternate drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: While sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Shepherd, MT
Hair tests offer superior detection capabilities over traditional urine tests by capturing substance use over a more extended timeframe, providing a more accurate overview of an individual's drug use history. They offer a robust alternative favored by many businesses and legal systems due to their reliability and accuracy in detecting a wide range of substances.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Shepherd, MT
Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle testing examines drug use within the past 90 days. This extended timeframe allows employers to view a more detailed history of substance use, offering insights into patterns that shorter detection windows may miss. It provides a comprehensive assessment tool, ideal for making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Shepherd, MT
The nature of hair follicle testing reduces the risk of tampering, as the collected samples undergo strict observation and processing. This ensures integrity and reliability, giving it an edge over urine tests that could be susceptible to manipulation, thus providing credibility in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Shepherd, MT
Our extensive network of testing centers ensures convenient access to drug testing services across the nation. For local residents of Shepherd, MT, this means quick and hassle-free testing, eliminating the stress of traveling long distances to fulfill testing requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Shepherd, MT
Our procedure for ordering, collecting, and receiving hair follicle test results is both simple and confidential. Designed to respect privacy and ensure user-friendly access, it caters to individual and organizational needs, providing peace of mind and streamlined service delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Shepherd, MT
Our competitive pricing combined with a rapid turnaround time ensures exceptional value while keeping costs affordable. Companies of various sizes benefit from this advantageous combination, attaining peace of mind alongside swift and economically viable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Shepherd, MT
Hair follicle drug tests boast unparalleled precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in the detection of substance abuse. The advanced technology employed in these tests provides rapid and reliable results, making them an invaluable tool for employers and legal authorities in Shepherd, MT, seeking quick and definitive drug testing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Shepherd, MT
Implementing hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free policies and mitigate legal risks. It promotes a safe working environment and provides assurance that team members adhere to company standards, thus enhancing overall workplace security and peace of mind.

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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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