Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lowry, SD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term history of substances by trapping biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch hair sample of roughly 200 strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg, an optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. Scalp hair refers specifically to head hair, while body hair encompasses other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The core processes for laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the sample's initial processing within a lab’s framework. This step involves ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary quick analysis for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective way to eliminate drug usage in most samples, confirmation is required for those that screen positive to be valid in legal settings. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a confirmatory test.

If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This stage involves the extraction of drugs from hair, at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of positive screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples that presumptively test positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The overall lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated 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 tests identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Chronological data: Offers a timeline of drug use rather than pinpointing just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs require around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", this test scrutinizes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lowry, SD
The shift from traditional urine testing to hair follicle testing is remarkable due to its enhanced detection capabilities. Hair testing boasts a much longer detection window and greater resistance to tampering. These attributes provide a more accurate and comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history, outclassing the limitations of urine tests, which generally offer a shorter detection period.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lowry, SD
Hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection period, which can trace drug use for up to 90 days. This expansive window allows employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, far beyond the scope of other testing methods. The ability to capture a wider timeframe makes it an invaluable tool for comprehensive evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lowry, SD
One of the most significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its robust resistance to tampering. The methodology involved substantially reduces the chances of sample adulteration, thereby providing results that are both reliable and beyond question. This integrity is crucial for ensuring the accuracy of any drug testing procedure.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lowry, SD
The extensive network of testing centers across the nation ensures easy access for all individuals. Whether in Lowry or beyond, our facilities provide quick and hassle-free testing service, underscoring the convenience and accessibility our network offers, making the process smooth and efficient for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lowry, SD
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Ensuring privacy and simplicity at every stage, it caters to individuals' concerns regarding ease of use and confidentiality, making the experience stress-free and private.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lowry, SD
Our competitive pricing structure and rapid turnaround times make hair follicle testing an excellent value for businesses of all sizes. The combination of cost-effectiveness and quick results provides great reassurance and value, allowing companies to maintain high standards within budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lowry, SD
Hair follicle drug tests provide unmatched speed and precision in detecting substance use. The analysis process is streamlined to deliver rapid results without sacrificing the high accuracy required for reliable detection. This efficiency ensures a dependable assessment of substance use, offering peace of mind for both individuals and organizations requiring thorough screening methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lowry, SD
Employers benefit enormously from hair follicle testing due to its role in maintaining compliance with strict no-drug policies. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety through reliable results, organizations can ensure a safer environment. The certainty that comes with hair testing enhances the effectiveness of company drug-free policies, offering peace of mind.

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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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