Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lowry, MN

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers in the growing strands. If collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

To obtain the optimal sample for analysis, a 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (the diameter of a #2 pencil), cut close to the scalp, is ideal, yielding 100mg. For EtG, additional testing, and panels beyond 10, a total of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for measurement is suggested. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. Note that 'head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is composed of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase in which a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. It involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any missing information not entered through an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening serves as a preliminary test to detect drug presence. While it is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, any positive results require confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further verification.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

For any positive screening outcome, Confirmation is performed using methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged as presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before Confirmation. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is validated by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use over a span of 90 days, surpassing the narrower detection windows of urine tests.
• High resistance to evasion: It is notably difficult to tamper with a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers a longitudinal view: This test can reveal patterns in drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection for recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after 5-7 days from use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing often incurs higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair coloration and personal differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although colloquially termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually evaluates the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests, the former emerges as a superior choice in Lowry, MN. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy, capturing a wider drug-use window.

• Detection: Hair tests can detect drug use up to 90 days back, providing a broader insight into an individual's history.
• Reliability: With consistent results, hair testing is less prone to tampering or sample contamination compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In Lowry, MN, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant benefit. Unlike other methods, it unveils a comprehensive view of substance use history.

• Long-Term Insight: The ability to detect drug use over a 90-day period allows employers to assess an individual's long-term habits reliably.
• Comprehensive Profile: Provides a complete picture of an employee's or applicant's substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Lowry, MN reduce the risk of tampering compared to other methods. Their tamper-resistant nature ensures more reliable and credible results.

• Integrity: Samples are not easily adulterated, giving employers confidence in the test's validity.
• Security: The method of collection and analysis significantly diminishes the risk of falsification.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our widespread network, including locations in Lowry, MN, ensures convenient access to drug screening services, offering hassle-free testing nationwide.

• Access: Testing centers are accessible across all cities, easing the process for individuals and companies alike.
• Convenience: Streamlined procedures facilitate quick and efficient testing at local and nationwide centers.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Lowry, MN ensures a simple and confidential approach to hair follicle testing, focusing on privacy and ease for all parties involved.

• Simplicity: The straightforward procedure from ordering to receiving results minimizes stress.
• Confidentiality: Results are handled with discretion, safeguarding the privacy of individuals tested.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers cost-effective pricing and rapid turnaround times in Lowry, MN, providing companies with excellent value for their investment.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Competitive pricing structures help businesses of all sizes manage their testing budgets efficiently.
• Rapid Results: Fast processing times ensure timely availability of results, supporting informed decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Lowry, MN is recognized for its swift and accurate results. This advanced testing method stands out for its precision in detecting a wide range of substances, leading to reliable conclusions.

• Accuracy: Hair tests provide a high level of precision, minimizing false positives and negatives.
• Speed: Samples are processed quickly, offering prompt results to meet the needs of employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lowry, MN can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method enhances workplace safety and reduces legal risks.

• Compliance: Aligns with strict drug-free policies and employment regulations effortlessly.
• Safety: Offers peace of mind by maintaining a safer, drug-free environment.

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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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