Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Antelope, SD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within its growing strands. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it can offer up to a nearly three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we are exclusively referring to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails introducing a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes validating that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not already captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid analysis for drugs of abuse. Although Screening presents a cost-efficient way to discard drug usage for the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be used legally. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During this phase, hair is screened for drugs at a much lower concentration relative to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a rather challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug evaluations can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with a briefer detection range.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug evaluation is quite hard, thereby enhancing result credibility.
• Delivers retrospective data: It can unveil drug use tendencies over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Detectable levels of drugs in hair emerge approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost implications: Hair drug analyses are generally pricier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Varying results: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Beats Urine in Antelope, SD

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests with its expansive detection scope and reliability. Unlike urine testing, which is limited to short-term substance use, hair tests capture a comprehensive drug-use history. The robustness and resistance to tampering underscore its superiority, delivering more reliable results that help employers enforce strict drug policies effectively.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Antelope, SD

Employers seeking a thorough assessment of an individual's drug history turn to hair follicle testing for its extended detection capabilities. With a window of up to 90 days, this method provides transparency into past substance use, offering a broader view than other testing options. This feature is essential for accurate background checks and ongoing employee monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Antelope, SD

Hair follicle testing stands as a formidable option in combating sample tampering. The secure and straightforward sample collection method resists adulteration and manipulation attempts, ensuring the authenticity of the results. This tamper-proof nature provides peace of mind, especially in environments demanding stringent compliance and reliable testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Antelope, SD

With a network of nationwide testing centers, including local options in Antelope, scheduling and performing hair follicle tests is effortless and accessible. This widespread availability means that individuals and employers can quickly find a testing location nearby, making the process seamless and accommodating to busy schedules.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple & Confidential Process in Antelope, SD

Accredited Drug Testing offers a straightforward, confidential process for managing hair follicle testing in Antelope. From ordering to receiving your results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use. Clients are assured of their data’s security, maintaining confidentiality throughout the testing journey, effectively addressing concerns about personal and sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing & Fast Turnaround in Antelope, SD

Our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery set us apart, catering to businesses of all sizes in Antelope. We focus on providing cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality or speed, ensuring clients receive valuable service and results promptly, allowing them to make informed decisions swiftly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast & Accurate Testing in Antelope, SD

Hair follicle testing distinguishes itself with precision and rapid results delivery. The method excels in its ability to promptly identify a variety of substances with high accuracy. This efficiency ensures employers and individuals enjoy confidence in the reliability of their findings, making hair testing a preferred choice for swift, dependable substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance & Peace of Mind for Employers in Antelope, SD

Adopting hair follicle drug testing helps Antelope employers maintain stringent drug-free workplace policies. This method not only complies with various regulatory standards but also reduces legal risks by preventing substance abuse issues before they impact the workplace environment. This focus on compliance ensures a secure and productive workplace environment.

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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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