Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gilbert, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective approach for detecting the consumption of drugs and alcohol. This method offers an extensive record of substance use, as hair captures biomarkers within the growing strand’s fibers. When hair is collected close to the scalp, it can supply a detection period of up to around 3 months for drugs and alcohol. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and transportation is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands closest to the scalp yields 100mg, forming the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or over 10-panel tests, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" denotes only scalp hair, whereas "Body hair" pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps involved in the lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a specimen within the lab’s setup. This involves validating that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any surplus data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for illicit drugs. It serves as a cost-efficient strategy to eliminate drug usage in most samples. However, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be considered valid in legal proceedings. Any samples testing presumptively positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is realized through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as mandated. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Resistant to manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Delivers historical data: It can exhibit a pattern of drug usage over an extended duration, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result variation: Factors like hair color and individual discrepancies in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Gilbert, MN
Hair follicle testing outmatches urine tests in several ways, particularly because it provides a longer detection window and is more resistant to cheating. In Gilbert, MN, employers and professionals can trust hair testing to deliver accurate insights into an individual's substance use compared to the limited scope of urine tests.

Unlike urine testing, which only detects recent drug use, hair follicle analysis offers a comprehensive view of an individual's habits over the last 90 days. This extended period allows for a more reliable assessment of long-term usage patterns.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Gilbert, MN
Hair follicle testing provides a much broader detection window, stretching up to 90 days, in detecting drug use. As a result, employers in Gilbert, MN can obtain a thorough profile of an individual's substance history, offering valuable insight over traditional tests that only capture recent drug use.

Gilbert employers rely on the comprehensive data from hair follicle tests to make informed decisions regarding hiring and monitoring employee behavior, ensuring a drug-free workplace that supports safety and compliance with regulations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Gilbert, MN
One of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing is its resistance to adulteration. In Gilbert, MN, hair tests significantly decrease the possibility of sample tampering, ensuring that results are dependable and unquestionable, offering peace of mind to employers and the individuals involved.

By collecting samples directly from hair, the risk of encountering diluted or substituted samples is virtually eliminated. This reliability has made hair follicle testing a leading choice for those prioritizing accuracy and integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Gilbert, MN
Accredited Drug Testing's network of testing centers provides unmatched convenience. In Gilbert, MN, and across the country, individuals have easy access to our facilities, ensuring fast and hassle-free service for all testing needs.

With a broad footprint of locations, we facilitate timely drug testing, eliminating the stress and inconvenience of distant or hard-to-reach facilities, allowing quick access while maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Gilbert, MN
Our streamlined and discreet process ensures that ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward and confidential. In Gilbert, MN, we prioritize privacy, enabling individuals to navigate the testing procedures with ease and security.

Clients can trust that their information is handled with the utmost care, from initial contact through delivery of results, enhancing the user experience by removing hurdles traditionally associated with drug testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gilbert, MN
Accredited Drug Testing provides competitive pricing models and quick turnaround times which are unmatched in Gilbert, MN. Our pricing affordability along with rapid results offers exceptional value, benefitting businesses of all scales.

With a focus on both cost efficiency and speed, our services cater to companies requiring swift drug testing results without compromising on quality, ensuring peace of mind and value for investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. In Gilbert, MN, these tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results, minimizing the waiting time for both employers and individuals seeking confirmation of substance use. The rigorous testing methodology ensures an unparalleled level of accuracy, making it a preferred choice.

Employing advanced screening technology, hair follicle testing in Gilbert, MN, delivers trustworthy results that highlight its superiority over traditional testing methods. The streamlined process ensures timely delivery of findings without sacrificing precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Gilbert, MN
Implementing hair follicle testing provides a sense of security and compliance with workplace drug-free policies. In Gilbert, MN, such testing helps employers mitigate legal risks while promoting a safe working environment by reducing drug-related incidents.

Utilizing hair follicle tests underscores a commitment to policies that prioritize employee health and safety, minimizing the potential for costly legal disputes and workplace disruptions caused by substance abuse.

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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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