Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bridger, SD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use for a duration of up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A specimen of 1.5-inch containing roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extended panels, and stuff over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is encouraged. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps involved in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system, which includes checking that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be substantiated to hold up in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are derived from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation gets reviewed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to compromise: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: Hair tests can show a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• No recent use detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after intake.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other testing procedures.
• Results variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bridger, SD, hair follicle testing eclipses traditional urine testing due to its superior benefits.

The accuracy of hair tests in detecting substance use far outmatches that of urine analyses.

Moreover, the reliability of hair testing lies in its difficult-to-manipulate nature, offering a stronger deterrent against drug use for potential employees under evaluation.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, making it invaluable in Bridger, SD, for a thorough evaluation of substance use history.

Unlike other tests, it covers up to 90 days, meaning employers can gain insight into an individual’s long-term habits rather than just short-term usage.

This comprehensive look aids in better decision-making processes when assessing employee eligibility.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bridger, SD, the hair follicle testing method is nearly tamper-proof, ensuring reliable results.

This sample analysis reduces risks of adulteration, which can often be a concern with other methods.

The confidence it builds with unimpeachable data makes it the preferred choice for employers desiring unquestionable results and to maintain integrity within their workforce screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is a hallmark of our testing services, with widespread availability across the nation, including Bridger, SD.

Our expansive network guarantees that accessing testing centers is hassle-free, providing quick and easy service.

This accessibility ensures that testing requirements are met swiftly and efficiently, enhancing the user experience for all clients involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bridger, SD, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential.

Clients can effortlessly order a test, complete it, and receive results while their privacy concerns are attentively addressed.

The streamlined process ensures that users can navigate their testing needs comfortably and without undue stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Bridger, SD, benefits from competitive hair follicle testing pricing models that deliver excellent value for companies of any size.

The cost-effectiveness is paired with fast turnaround times, ensuring that businesses find not only affordability but also prompt service and reliability.

This combination delivers peace of mind and a strong return on investment for all stakeholders.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and efficiency of hair follicle testing in Bridger, SD, offer unmatched accuracy in detecting drug and alcohol consumption.

This method is celebrated for its swift results and reliability, ensuring a high level of accuracy that surpasses other testing methods.

Among all available options, hair follicle tests remain a choice of preference due to their ability to provide fast yet precise outcomes for employers and legal entities alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Bridger, SD, utilizing hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

This decreases legal risks by assuring adherence to company standards and upholding safety and productivity in the workforce.

Therefore, choosing this method provides peace of mind, certainty, and a reliable means to enforce workplace integrity.

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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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