Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maple Plain, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within its fibers. When collected near the scalp, it can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation testing. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advised. If scalp hair is not accessible, the same quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four fundamental stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is processed into the lab’s system. This step involves checking that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is the preliminary check for drugs of abuse. This stage allows for cost-effective exclusion of drug usage for most samples, though a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admittance. Samples that test positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction process. Drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Positive screening confirmations are conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All positive samples are washed before confirmation when needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is very challenging to alter a hair drug test, ensuring higher accuracy in results.
• Historical insight: Provides an overview of drug use over a time frame, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs need approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not on the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Maple Plain, MN, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering a broader detection range and increased reliability. The advanced accuracy of hair testing ensures superior detection of substance use over time, making it the go-to choice for drug screening compared to more traditional methods like urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Maple Plain employers find hair follicle testing advantageous for its ability to detect substance use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. This comprehensive detection window provides a thorough understanding of an individual's drug use history, which is immensely valuable in safeguarding workplace standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Maple Plain, MN, is a significant upside. Its resistance to adulteration ensures that samples remain uncontaminated, providing unquestionable results. This makes hair follicle tests a dependable choice, minimizing the risk of sample tampering during the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible testing is a priority, and with numerous nationwide centers, Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience for those in Maple Plain, MN. Whether locally or nationwide, our facilities ensure seamless access to testing services, making the process simple and hassle-free for businesses and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Maple Plain, MN, the hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, the streamlined steps assure clients of privacy and ease. These aspects address concerns regarding personal data safety and make the entire experience convenient and straightforward.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Maple Plain, MN, stands out with its competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. By providing affordable and fast testing solutions, we deliver excellent value for businesses of all sizes, ensuring that quality drug testing services are accessible without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle tests in Maple Plain, MN, is unmatched in the industry. With high accuracy, these tests can detect the presence of substances with a quick turnaround, providing reliable results that help maintain a drug-free workplace or court compliance. Their capability to deliver fast outcomes makes them a preferred choice among many institutions and employers.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Maple Plain, MN, utilizing hair follicle testing means ensuring compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal liabilities while enhancing workplace safety, giving employers peace of mind knowing they are maintaining a secure environment for all 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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