Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lancaster, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for detecting substance use. Hair captures a long-term record of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, it can provide around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is easy, harder to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A strand measuring 1.5 inches, inclusive of about 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, and/or over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for specimen weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' in this context refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result consists of four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing in a lab's system. This step verifies the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for abuse substances. Though Screening is economically efficient at excluding drug usage for most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples deemed positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

When a sample tests positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the main specimen and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs extract from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, any samples preliminarily positive are cleansed as necessary. The full laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes audits under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which feature a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, hence results are more reliable.
• Supply chronological data: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not merely immediate use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: Drugs typically become traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair shade and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lancaster, MN, hair follicle testing clearly surpasses urine testing in various aspects. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, as they are less susceptible to tampering. While urine tests can only detect recent substance use, hair tests provide a longer usage history.

Hair testing also significantly reduces the chance of adulterated samples, a common issue with urine tests. Additionally, hair samples naturally integrate substances, making it difficult for individuals to mask drug use, unlike urine testing where cheating strategies are well known.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lancaster, MN provides an extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This longer period captures drug use that may be missed by other testing methods, such as urine analysis, which typically has a much shorter detection period.

The comprehensive view offered by hair follicle testing assists employers in assessing an employee's or applicant's long-term substance habits, helping ensure a drug-free workplace. By understanding an individual's substance history over a significant timeframe, employers can make informed decisions based on ongoing trends rather than isolated instances.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lancaster, MN, one of the significant advantages of hair follicle tests is their resistance to tampering. Due to the way substances incorporate into hair shafts, tampering is significantly reduced compared to urine samples.

Employers and courts benefit from hair testing as it provides reliable and unquestionable results. It becomes nearly impossible for individuals to alter or substitute samples, thereby maintaining the integrity of the testing process and ensuring trustworthy results every time.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides testing convenience with locations available nationwide, including in Lancaster, MN. Our centers offer quick, easy, and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services for individuals and businesses.

With our extensive network of testing facilities, scheduling a test at a convenient location has never been more seamless. Our local presence ensures that residents and businesses can access top-tier testing services without the inconvenience of long travel distances or extended wait times.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Lancaster, MN is both simple and confidential. From ordering to sample collection and results delivery, every step is designed to protect the privacy of individuals while providing ease of use.

Clients can expect a streamlined experience, with the ability to order tests online or by phone, ensuring confidentiality at every stage. This approach guarantees that sensitive information is managed discreetly, alleviating any concerns regarding privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lancaster, MN, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, ensuring it is accessible for companies of all sizes. Our affordable rates do not compromise on quality, delivering excellent value alongside swift service.

In addition to cost-effectiveness, our testing services boast fast turnaround times, providing peace of mind through prompt delivery of results. This efficiency aids businesses in making timely decisions, reinforcing safety and compliance without incurring high expenses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is known for its quick and dependable results, making it an ideal choice in Lancaster, MN. With fast processing times and precise detection, employers and courts can rely on hair testing to accurately assess substance use patterns. The precision of this testing method ensures that even low levels of drug use are detected.

In addition to accuracy, the speed of hair follicle testing is unmatched. Results are typically available in a shorter timeframe compared to other testing methods, providing prompt and reliable outcomes. This efficiency supports timely decision-making processes, critical for employment, legal decisions, and treatment adjustments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Lancaster, MN ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, offering peace of mind to employers. This method supports maintaining a safe and legal workplace environment by accurately identifying drug use over extended periods.

Compliance with drug policies through hair follicle testing reduces the risk of workplace accidents and legal liabilities. It ensures that employees adhere to policies, thus creating a safer, more productive work environment that fosters mutual confidence between employers and employees.

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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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