Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hills, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the progressively growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test is divided into four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a specimen into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not available from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples, positive results from Screening require confirmation to be considered valid in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.

If Screening results are presumptively positive, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. At this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most intricate methodology to conduct.

Any positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: It is exceedingly challenging to falsify a hair drug test, thereby enhancing accuracy.
• Supplies historical insight: It provides a timeline of drug utilization over a stretch, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result discrepancies: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Despite being commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis 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 Hills, MN: In comparison to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing excels in detecting drug use, offering higher accuracy and reliability. Employers adopting this method can ensure enhanced drug screening, vital for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hills, MN: Hair testing allows identification of drug use over a much more extended period, typically up to 90 days. This feature offers employers a wider scope of awareness of an individual's substance history, assisting in making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hills, MN: Hair follicle testing markedly lowers the risk of sample tampering, guaranteeing authenticity and dependability. It’s a testing method that upholds high accuracy, providing employers with unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hills, MN: Our extensive network of testing centers ensures that accessing drug testing services is straightforward and stress-free for individuals and companies alike, reaffirming our commitment to convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hills, MN: The procedure for ordering and completing a hair follicle test is straightforward and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns. Results are delivered promptly, ensuring discretion and simplicity throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hills, MN: Our competitive pricing paired with rapid result processing offers excellent value to businesses of any size. These features promise peace of mind with cost-effective and timely solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hills, MN: Hair follicle tests provide swift and precise identification of substance use, distinguishing themselves by their superior accuracy. These tests ensure reliable results with rapid processing, confirming the presence of drugs effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hills, MN: Utilizing hair follicle testing facilitates adherence to drug-free policies in the workplace. This testing method aids in minimizing legal risks while enhancing safety and morale among employees.

Drug Testing Near Hills, MN

Lismore, MN

Adrian, MN

Jasper, MN

Kenneth, MN

Hardwick, MN

Ellsworth, MN

Magnolia, MN

Kanaranzi, MN

Luverne, MN

Beaver Creek, MN

Rock Creek, MN

Steen, 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