Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wisdom, MT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly viewed as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. This test captures a long-term drug and alcohol usage history by embedding biomarkers within the hair fiber as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to send.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches in length with approximately 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's width) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirming results. For tests such as EtG add-ons or those requiring over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is advised. If no scalp hair is accessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers to scalp hair exclusively, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a laboratory hair drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is integrated into the laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample's seal and shipment integrity, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishing any required data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient approach for excluding drug use in most specimens, any positive result from a screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive results in the Screening stage need further validation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is procured from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging.

Positive screening results are validated using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The end-to-end laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug usage up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer shorter detection durations.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage insight: It provides a timeline of drug use over time, not just immediate or recent use.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often used inaccurately; the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing is Superior to Urine Testing in Wisdom, MT

• Hair tests surpass urine tests with superior detection and accuracy.
• The reliability of hair tests offers unmatched confidence in screening processes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Period in Wisdom, MT

• Hair follicle testing reveals drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days.
• This provides employers with a thorough view of an individual’s substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Resilient to Tampering in Wisdom, MT

• Hair follicle tests significantly decrease the likelihood of sample tampering.
• The resulting data offers irrefutable and reliable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations Nationwide, Including Wisdom, MT

• Our expansive network ensures easy and hassle-free access to testing facilities.
• Convenience is guaranteed via widespread testing centers nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplified and Confidential Process in Wisdom, MT

• The process for ordering, performing, and receiving results is straightforward and confidential.
• This addresses any privacy concerns and enhances ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Economical Pricing and Quick Results in Wisdom, MT

• Our competitive pricing and expedited results guarantee value for businesses of any size.
• This balance between affordability and speed offers peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speedy and Precise Testing in Wisdom, MT

• Hair follicle tests are renowned for swift and accurate results, providing reliable detection of substance use.
• These tests ensure precise identification of drug use, enhancing trust in the results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Peace of Mind for Employers in Wisdom, MT

• Employing hair follicle testing helps maintain adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• This reduces legal exposure while boosting workplace security.

Drug Testing Near Wisdom, MT

Anaconda, MT

Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT

Conner, MT

Bannack, MT

Glen, MT

Melrose, MT

Deer Lodge, MT

Sula-Edwards, MT

Divide, MT

Maiden Rock, MT

Dewey, MT

Wise River, MT

Polaris, MT

Elkhorn, MT

Big Hole Basin, 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