Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Argyle, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a historical record of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers approximately a three-month window for substance detection. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately pencil size #2) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilize a jeweler's scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair denotes all other types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The key steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to initially handling a sample within the laboratory's system. This involves confirming proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry not provided by the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although screening is a cost-efficient means to potentially eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples that show presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In the event of a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly reduced concentration than other methodologies (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if needed. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty in tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, leading to more precise results.
• Historical data provision: It provides a pattern of drug use over time rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Argyle, MN, hair follicle tests offer superior detection compared to urine tests, proving more beneficial in drug testing. Their reliability and increased detection period make them a preferred choice for discerning employers.

While traditional urine tests are limited to detecting recent usage, hair follicle testing excels in identifying substance use over an extended period, providing an accurate and comprehensive screening solution.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing in Argyle, MN, is its extended detection window, capturing substance use history up to 90 days. This long timeframe offers employers a detailed view of potential usage.

For employers seeking comprehensive insights into an employee or applicant's substance use history, hair follicle testing serves as an invaluable tool, ensuring a thorough evaluation that extends beyond recent use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Argyle, MN, hair follicle testing presents a tamper-resistant method that significantly diminishes the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike other tests, tampering is challenging, delivering dependable outcomes.

With its robust collection process, hair follicle testing ensures the integrity of test samples. This results in trustworthy data, supporting employers with accurate and authentic drug testing outcomes vital for decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Argyle, MN, benefits from Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide testing centers, ensuring convenience and accessibility. Local centers make securing a hair follicle drug test quick and hassle-free.

The extensive network of testing facilities ensures individuals and businesses in Argyle, MN, can access essential services promptly. This ease of access supports swift testing procedures and results, crucial for timely decision-making.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Argyle, MN, the process of ordering and conducting a hair follicle test is simple and confidential, emphasizing ease and privacy for all parties involved. From start to finish, the process is designed to protect personal information.

Confidentiality is paramount, ensuring all aspects of the hair follicle testing process are handled discreetly. This includes the ordering stage, taking the test, and receiving the results, prioritizing privacy and user comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Argyle, MN, businesses can benefit from affordable pricing and fast turnaround times offered by hair follicle testing. Competitive pricing structures provide value without sacrificing quality or reliability.

With quick result turnaround, companies of all sizes can maintain their operations without interruption, thanks to hair follicle drug testing. This balance of cost-effectiveness and efficiency positions them advantageously in maintaining workplace standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Argyle, MN, provides fast, accurate, and reliable drug test results. With the ability to detect substance use with precision, this method surpasses traditional urine tests in terms of thoroughness and reliability.

The efficiency of hair testing stems from its ability to provide results quickly, without compromising on accuracy. This ensures that substance usage is detected with confidence, giving peace of mind to employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Argyle, MN, can gain peace of mind by implementing hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies. It fosters a safe working environment and reduces legal concerns.

By detecting substance use reliably, hair follicle tests help uphold a drug-free workplace. This not only enhances safety but also demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a compliant and secure environment for all employees.

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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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