Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Franklin, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within its growing fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, reasonably resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), taken closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation purposes. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the sample utilizing a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. In references to head hair, only scalp hair is implied. Body hair encompasses all other variations such as facial, axillary, etc.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addressing any data entry omissions not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening involves an initial drug abuse assessment. While Screening is a budget-friendly way to rule out drug usage for most samples, to be admissible in legal contexts, a positive screen needs confirmation. Samples displaying presumptive positive results in the Screening phase require additional confirmation.

For samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), showcasing the complexity of conducting hair drug analyses.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presuming positivity undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the standards of both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage spanning up to 90 days, compared to urine tests with shorter durations.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to falsify hair drug testing, ensuring higher accuracy of results.
• Offers historical data: It presents a drug usage pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Franklin, MN

Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine testing by providing superior accuracy and reliability in detecting substance use. Unlike the shorter detection window of urine tests, hair tests capture a broader timeline of usage. The consistency and robustness of hair follicle testing make it a preferred choice for organizations dedicated to maintaining a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Franklin, MN

Hair follicle testing detects drug usage over an extended period of up to 90 days, providing a thorough insight into an employee or applicant's substance use history. This elongated detection window makes hair tests invaluable for employers seeking a comprehensive view of an individual's consumption patterns, aiding in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Franklin, MN

Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the chances of sample tampering, delivering trustworthy results that stakeholders can rely on. The method’s inherent resistance to adulteration provides peace of mind, ensuring that outcomes are genuine and reflect actual substance use patterns.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Franklin, MN

Accessing drug testing services in Franklin is seamless with our extensive network of nationwide centers. This extensive footprint ensures that individuals and companies experience convenient, hassle-free testing services, saving time and effort while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Franklin, MN

The process of ordering and conducting hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Participants enjoy privacy throughout the procedure, with efficient ordering and results retrieval, addressing concerns about both privacy and usability with assurance.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Franklin, MN

Our competitive pricing structures coupled with swift turnaround times provide exceptional value to businesses of any size. Quick results minimize downtime and ensure that companies maintain operations effectively, benefiting from both cost savings and expedited processing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Franklin, MN

Hair follicle drug tests in Franklin offer precision and speed, ensuring that results are both rapid and reliable. These tests boast high accuracy in uncovering substance use, allowing for swift and decisive action. The reliability of hair follicle testing makes them ideal for entities in need of prompt results without compromising on accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Franklin, MN

Employers utilizing hair follicle testing benefit from enhanced compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and bolstering safety. By opting for this testing method, businesses can fortify their commitment to maintaining a secure and compliant work environment.

Drug Testing Near Franklin, MN

Sleepy Eye, MN

Gibbon, MN

Delhi, MN

Hector, MN

Cobden, MN

Bird Island, MN

Clements, MN

Bechyn, MN

Renville, MN

Evan, MN

Redwood Falls, MN

North Redwood, MN

Morgan, MN

Fairfax, MN

Morton, MN

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