Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lake Elmo, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are increasingly recognized as an effective means to detect drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers along the fibers of a developing hair strand. If taken near the scalp, hair samples can show drug and alcohol usage for up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

An ideal hair sample involves a 1.5-inch length of about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil width) nearest to the scalp, yielding 100mg, which is optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, extended tests, and panels above 10, 150mg of hair is advised. It's best to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system, confirming proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data not captured by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a swift initial assessment for substances of abuse. Although it's a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage for the majority of samples, a positive screening needs confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptive positives from Screening necessitate secondary verification.

For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and processed in the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or saliva testing, highlighting why hair drug screening is a challenging method.

To confirm any positive screening result, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are utilized. Samples that show presumptive positives are washed before confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory journey, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair tests can identify drug consumption over 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing accuracy.
• Historical usage data: It provides insight into drug use patterns over time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing typically costs more than other drug detection techniques.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lake Elmo, MN

• Hair testing offers a larger detection window compared to urine tests, thereby offering a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's drug usage history.
• The method's enhanced reliability and accuracy make it difficult to manipulate, providing peace of mind to enforcing bodies.
• The test is less invasive, avoiding potential contamination common with urine testing procedures.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lake Elmo, MN

• In Lake Elmo, hair follicle tests provide a long detection period of up to 90 days, offering employers insight into an individual's substance usage over recent months.
• This extensive window supports informed decision-making regarding hiring and maintaining workplace safety.
• The efficacy of this method helps ensure comprehensive screening.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lake Elmo, MN

• Hair follicle testing in Lake Elmo significantly minimizes the likelihood of tampering, ensuring the integrity of test results.
• This method's inherent robustness ensures companies and regulatory bodies have access to undeniable drug test outcomes.
• Utilizing hair tests safeguards against common means of urine test manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lake Elmo, MN

• With easily accessible testing centers across the nation, including Lake Elmo, obtaining a hair follicle drug test is straightforward and expeditious.
• This convenience ensures minimal disruption to daily routines, facilitating hassle-free testing.
• Efficient local services meet the testing needs of the Lake Elmo community swiftly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lake Elmo, MN

• The process for ordering and undergoing hair follicle drug tests in Lake Elmo is designed to be simple, confidential, and secure.
• Emphasis on privacy ensures individuals' personal information remains protected throughout testing.
• Easy steps from scheduling to results ensure a stress-free experience for participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lake Elmo, MN

• Our pricing structure for hair follicle tests in Lake Elmo is competitive, ensuring excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
• Fast turnaround times mean results are delivered efficiently, facilitating quick decision-making.
• This combination of affordability and speed offers peace of mind and reliability to all clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lake Elmo, MN

• Hair follicle drug tests in Lake Elmo provide precise and swift assessments, identifying substance use with high accuracy.
• These tests deliver consistent and trustworthy results, thereby making them a preferred option for those requiring reliable drug testing.
• The speed of obtaining results ensures timely decision-making for agencies and employers.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lake Elmo, MN

• Implementing hair follicle tests aligns with drug-free workplace policies, providing compliance assurance in Lake Elmo.
• Such testing decreases legal liability and promotes a secure work environment.
• Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are operating within federal and local guidelines.

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