Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hammond, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair charts a prolonged usage history by encasing biomarkers within its growing fibers. When collected near the scalp, it allows for an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A sample of 1.5 inches, containing around 200 strands of hair (akin to a #2 pencil), yields 100mg of hair, the perfect size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is lacking, the equivalent amount of body hair is a viable alternative. Head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four crucial stages in the laboratory procedure for a drug test result involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary processing of a sample into the lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid examination for drug use. While Screening offers a cost-effective method to rule out drug use for the majority, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening mandate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample indicates presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is drawn from the initial specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted at a significantly low concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation, as deemed necessary. The full process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timespan: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter window.
• Challenging to tamper with: It's highly challenging to trick a hair drug test, making the outcomes more reliable.
• Offers historical insights: Charts drug usage patterns over time and not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Hammond, MN, surpasses traditional urine tests by offering longer detection windows and more reliable results. Its advanced detection techniques ensure accurate readings, minimizing the risk of errors often associated with urine samples.

With hair testing, the potential to cheat is significantly reduced. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a more holistic view of an individual’s substance habits, proving more effective in long-term monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle test in Hammond, MN, boasts an impressive detection window of up to 90 days, far exceeding that of traditional methods. This allows employers a more thorough assessment of an employee's substance use history.

By analyzing the hair, employers gain insight into potential long-term patterns of behavior, offering them a comprehensive understanding rather than just a snapshot in time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Hammond, MN, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant way to ensure the integrity of drug testing. Unlike methods that can be manipulated, hair tests significantly limit the potential for sample adulteration.

Offering reliable results, this testing method provides peace of mind by minimizing the chance of tampered samples, ensuring trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to facilities nationwide, including Hammond, MN. Our testing locations are designed to provide swift and efficient services without unnecessary hassle.

The expansive network ensures that no matter where you are, professional and prompt testing services are always within reach, simplifying the process for both employers and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hammond, MN, obtaining results from a hair follicle test is straightforward and discreet. The process protects privacy while ensuring confidentiality at every step, from ordering to result delivery.

This ensures that individuals feel secure and informed throughout, with full confidence that their personal information is handled with the utmost care.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Hammond, MN, is competitively priced to suit companies of all sizes. Along with affordable rates, we promise rapid turnaround times, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations.

Beyond the cost benefits, the swift processing means quicker access to results, offering businesses both economic and operational peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hammond, MN, hair follicle drug tests are known for their swift and precise outcomes. Through advanced technology, these tests guarantee high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing individuals and organizations with dependable results.

The process of hair testing is not only fast but incredibly thorough. By examining the hair shaft, this method ensures that no traces of substance use are overlooked, allowing for a detailed profile of one's drug history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Hammond, MN ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thus supporting legal compliance and safety in the workplace. Employers can confidently enforce policies with this reliable method.

For employers, this means not only adherence to regulations but also fostering a safer environment for all, enhancing overall workplace morale and security.

Drug Testing Near Hammond, MN

Byron, MN

Eyota, MN

Zumbrota, MN

Rochester, MN

Pine Island, MN

Douglas, MN

Bellechester, MN

Plainview, MN

Theilman, MN

Mazeppa, MN

Oronoco, MN

Elgin, MN

Wabasha, MN

Zumbro Falls, MN

Millville, 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