Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hackensack, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers, hair offers a comprehensive history of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (equivalent in diameter to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other body areas (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The four major stages in lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first phase where a sample is logged into the laboratory's system. This step confirms that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing information not provided by an electronic tracking system.

Screening involves an initial examination for substances. Screening is an economical method for dismissing drug presence in most samples. Nevertheless, a positive result from screening needs further confirmation for legal validity. Any samples preliminarily positive during Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive in Screening, extra hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most complex to execute.

Any positive screening outcomes are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are hard to deceive, ensuring more trustworthy results.
• Offers usage history: They can depict a drug usage pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically take 5-7 days before becoming detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hackensack, MN. Hair tests provide superior detection and accuracy compared to urine tests. With a detection period extending up to 90 days, they offer more reliable substance identification. Hair testing reduces chances of manipulation, unlike urine tests where tampering is easier.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hackensack, MN. Hair follicle testing can trace drug use history over extended periods, typically up to 90 days. This extended window provides employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance consumption habits. Thus, it aids in making informed decisions regarding potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Adopted in Hackensack, MN, hair follicle tests are a tamper-resistant method, significantly lowering the risk of sample manipulation. This ensures that results are trustworthy and dependable, offering a definitive analysis that minimizes doubt about the legitimacy of the test's outcome.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Thanks to our widespread network of testing centers, both nationally and locally in Hackensack, MN, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward and stress-free. Our locations ensure that clients can undergo testing without hassle, providing convenience and efficiency for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle drug testing in Hackensack, MN, is both simple and private. Our procedures guarantee confidentiality, from ordering to testing and receiving results. This streamlined approach prioritizes user privacy and convenience, meeting all client expectations effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle drug testing services in Hackensack, MN, deliver excellent value. Companies can access affordable options, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising on quality and speed, offering peace of mind for businesses of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled speed and precision in Hackensack, MN. Employers benefit from the quick turnaround times and the reliability these tests provide in detecting substance use. With high accuracy rates, these tests ensure that the results reflect true patterns of drug use, offering reassurance to those needing reliable data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Hackensack, MN, employing hair follicle testing can ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies, cutting down on legal skin issues and promoting a safe work environment. Employers experience peace of mind knowing that the integrity of the testing process supports a commitment to safety and compliance.

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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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