Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Scenic, SD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a timeline for alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to around 3 months. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hairs (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, added tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent mass of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair only. All other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.) are considered body hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory process for analyzing a drug test includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step, which integrates a sample into a lab’s database. This step also includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and handling, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing data not processed via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary method for checking for drugs of abuse. Screening is an economical choice to rule out drug use on most samples, but to be legally valid, a positive screen must be confirmed. Any samples flagged as likely positive during Screening necessitate a second confirmation step.

Should a sample appear positive after the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at a much lower concentration than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging technique to conduct.

To verify any positive screening outcomes, Confirmation is carried out using methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair stipulations and accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair tests can track drug use for as long as 90 days, while urine tests catch use over a shorter timespan.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair tests are hard to rig, which makes the findings more reliable.
• Offer historical insight: They provide a timeline of drug consumption over time, not just the most recent usage.

Limitations:

• Doesn't detect recent use: Drug presence in hair becomes visible after about 5-7 days.
• Price: Hair tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug screening methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual growth patterns can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand without affecting the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Scenic, SD, when comparing hair follicle testing to urine analysis, the benefits are apparent. Hair testing boasts superior detection accuracy, revealing substance use over a longer duration. Traditional urine tests may miss certain substances due to shorter detection windows. The reliability of hair testing ensures fewer false negatives, enhancing trust in the results provided by our testing services.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle test method in Scenic, SD is exceptional for its prolonged detection capacity. It captures drug use history up to 90 days prior, offering employers an extensive view of substance behavior. This wide window helps evaluate an applicant or employee's long-term drug habits, providing a thorough assessment compared to tests with shorter detection times.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Scenic, SD, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant method that significantly mitigates sample adulteration risks. Its reliability ensures the results are unquestionable and trustworthy. Unlike other testing methods prone to interference, hair tests maintain credibility due to their robust nature, providing peace of mind for those seeking accurate outcomes without tampering concerns.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Scenic, SD, our extensive network of testing centers nationwide guarantees easy access to services. Whether local or across the country, our facilities provide hassle-free testing for everyone. This broad reach ensures quick testing access, supporting both local residents and national clients, all within a streamlined and convenient framework.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Scenic, SD, the hair testing process is straightforward and confidential, providing clients with ease and privacy. From ordering to taking the test, to receiving results, every step is designed for simplicity. Our service respects privacy concerns, ensuring confidentiality while maintaining an effortless experience for all clients who utilize our seamless testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Scenic, SD clients benefit from competitive pricing and quick results through our hair follicle testing. With cost-effective structures and rapid turnaround, we offer excellent value to businesses of any size. Our commitment to affordability ensures quality services are accessible without compromise, providing financial peace alongside reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Scenic, SD offer unparalleled precision, swiftly tracing substance utilization. Their high accuracy ensures they detect compounds missed by other methods. This advanced testing technology pinpoints drug use efficiently, cementing its reputation for swift and precise results. Our centers prioritize delivering fast outcomes without sacrificing accuracy, ensuring dependable results every time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Scenic, SD gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies. This method helps reduce legal risks and enhances workplace safety. By incorporating hair testing, companies demonstrate their commitment to a safe environment for all employees, aligning with both legal requirements and safety standards.

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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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