Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gilman, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a robust mechanism for determining drug and alcohol use. It offers an extended history by retaining biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal drug or alcohol use over approximately a three-month timeframe. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

Collecting a sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) next to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen amounting to 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four principal phases in the laboratory processing of a drug testing result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is first processed into the laboratory’s system. This process involves ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. It is a cost-effective strategy to dismiss drug use in most samples; however, any positive screenings need validation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive screenings necessitate additional confirmation.

For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. Within this stage, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than detected through other means (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Any positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before Confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and alignment with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a reduced detection timeframe.
• Challenging to fraud: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, thus rendering the outcomes more reliable.
• Offers historical insight: It facilitates a drug use pattern over a timeframe, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not on the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Gilman, MN
Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy. It provides a more reliable and thorough analysis due to its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, making it the preferred choice for accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Gilman, MN
With a detection span of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing gives employers a well-rounded view of an individual's substance use history. This extended window captures a complete picture, unlike shorter-term tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Gilman, MN
The hair follicle test method drastically lowers the chances of sample tampering, providing results that are both reliable and indisputable. It ensures the integrity of the testing process, safeguarding against manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Gilman, MN
With our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, we ensure easy and hassle-free access to testing services, making the process seamless and convenient for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Gilman, MN
We provide a straightforward and confidential process for ordering, completing, and receiving hair test results. This ensures privacy and ease, addressing any concerns regarding the handling of sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gilman, MN
Our competitive pricing and quick result turnaround times deliver outstanding value for businesses of all sizes, guaranteeing cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Gilman, MN
Hair follicle drug tests offer swift and precise results, highlighting their superior accuracy. When it comes to detecting substance use, these tests provide an unparalleled level of precision, ensuring that results are both swift and reliable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Gilman, MN
Hair follicle testing helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and reinforcing workplace safety. This method offers peace of mind regarding adherence to regulations.

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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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