Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Garfield, MT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term recorder by trapping biomarkers in the fibers of the growing strand. When hair is collected near the scalp, it offers roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and various drugs. It’s easy to collect, tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg hair specimen is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advisable. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair are specific to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This step involves checking that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any further data entries not provided by an electronic chain-of-custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While this is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In the event of a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from the hair at a lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of positive screening results is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples undergo a clean prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning through to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests have the ability to identify drug usage for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, thereby enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Provides historical data: It offers an overview of drug usage over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in South Garfield, MT: Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests by ensuring more accurate detection and reliability. The benefits lie in its extended detection period, diminishing the likelihood of false negatives and boosting trust in the results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in South Garfield, MT: Hair follicle tests offer a detection period up to 90 days, providing employers with an extensive view of an individual’s substance use history. This lengthy window is invaluable for assessing past usage, distinguishing it from other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in South Garfield, MT: Hair follicle tests present a robust defense against sample tampering or adulteration, ensuring the integrity and credibility of the results. This method offers peace of mind, being virtually uncheatable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in South Garfield, MT: Our widespread testing centers provide quick and straightforward access to drug testing services, prioritizing convenience and easing the logistical burdens for individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in South Garfield, MT: The process for ordering and receiving hair drug test results is designed to be easy and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively, and making the entire procedure user-friendly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in South Garfield, MT: We offer competitive pricing structures with rapid result turnaround times, ensuring exceptional value and peace of mind for businesses, large and small.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in South Garfield, MT: Hair follicle drug tests are known for swift and precise outcomes, ensuring high accuracy in identifying substance use. The process is streamlined to deliver results promptly without compromising reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in South Garfield, MT: Employing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies and reduces legal risks, fostering a safer work environment. This method garners trust by ensuring consistent compliance.

Drug Testing Near South Garfield, MT

Mosby, MT

Vananda, MT

Sumatra, MT

Ingomar, MT

Angela, MT

Rock Springs, MT

Brusett, MT

North of the Yellowstone, MT

Sand Springs, MT

North Garfield, MT

Jordan, MT

Cohagen, MT

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews