Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hidden Timber, SD

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibrous structure of the developing hair strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and substances. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp translates to around 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to verify the sample's weight with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable volume of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initiation of a sample into a lab's processes, including confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any auxiliary data recording not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. Screening serves as a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug use in most samples, but any positive screening must be authenticated for legal admissibility. Samples that are initially positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are separated from hair at much lower levels than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), which underscores the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as presumptively positive receive a wash before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug testing identifies substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection span.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, ensuring higher accuracy.
• Chronological usage insight: It reveals drug usage trends over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs compared to alternative testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth might impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hidden Timber, SD, hair follicle drug testing clearly outpaces traditional urine tests. The detecting capability is far superior, with a greater accuracy rate. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer:

• Extended detection period
• Higher reliability in results

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Hidden Timber, SD offers an exceptionally extended detection window for drug use, up to 90 days. This gives employers ample information on an individual’s historic drug usage. Key benefits include:

• Long-term substance detection
• Clearer insight into patterns of use

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method used in Hidden Timber, SD is remarkably tamper-resistant, minimizing the chances of sample adulteration. This robustness provides:

• Reliable, unquestionable outcomes
• Reduced risk of manipulation

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing facilities widely available in Hidden Timber, SD and across the nation, convenience is guaranteed. The network of centers ensures:

• Simple access to testing services
• Effortless and efficient processes

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hidden Timber, SD, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. This ensures ease of use, addressing privacy concerns through:

• Simple ordering and testing procedures
• Confidential results delivery

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing paired with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Hidden Timber, SD an excellent value. Businesses, regardless of size, can benefit from:

• Competitive pricing options
• Quick and reliable results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hidden Timber, SD, the precision and rapid results delivered by hair follicle drug tests are exceptional. These tests ensure high accuracy, enabling effective detection of substance use. Key attributes include:

• Swift analysis ensuring timely results
• Pinpoint accuracy in identifying substances

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

The implementation of hair follicle testing in Hidden Timber, SD confers assurance in adhering to drug-free workplace policies. For employers, it reduces legal liabilities and enhances safety through:

• Ensured compliance with regulations
• Improved workplace security

Drug Testing Near Hidden Timber, SD

Millboro, SD

Saint Francis, SD

Soldier Creek, SD

Two Strike, SD

Witten, SD

Clearfield, SD

Rosebud, SD

Wood, SD

Carter, SD

Keyapaha, SD

Mosher, SD

Olsonville, SD

Antelope, SD

White Horse, SD

Okreek, SD

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