Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Margie, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug presence by trapping biomarkers within the fibers as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to ship.

A sample sized at 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug tests consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial processing of a specimen into the lab’s system. This task includes checking that the specimen was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing other data entry not automated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is economical for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive findings need confirmation to be valid in court. Samples that have positive results in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positive results during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are then removed from hair at lower concentrations than with other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test positive preliminarily are washed before confirmation if necessary. The process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to falsify: Tampering with a hair drug test is challenging, which enhances result accuracy.
• Offers historical information: It provides a pattern of substance usage over time, not just recent activities.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs appear in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can impact the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Margie, MN

• Hair testing offers unparalleled accuracy when compared with more conventional urine tests.
• Longer detection windows with hair tests give a clearer insight into an individual's substance history.
• Employers find hair tests more reliable, minimizing the risk of inaccurate substance use readings.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Margie, MN

• Hair follicle testing reveals drug use from as far back as 90 days.
• Employers gain a comprehensive overview of applicants or employees' substance histories.
• This extended period is crucial for making informed hiring and management decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Margie, MN

• Hair follicle tests drastically cut down sample adulteration risks.
• Providing unquestionable and reliable results ensures trust in analysis findings.
• With minimal risk of tampering, businesses can confidently rely on test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Margie, MN

• Benefit from the convenience of nationwide testing centers available at your disposal.
• Quick and easy access ensures a hassle-free testing experience.
• Local options in Margie simplify the logistics of obtaining reliable testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Margie, MN

• The process for ordering and receiving results is straightforward and private.
• Focus on confidentiality while ensuring ease of use for all individuals involved.
• Addressing privacy concerns, the process is designed for maximum user comfort and assurance.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Margie, MN

• Competitive pricing structures offer great value for businesses of all sizes.
• Achieve peace of mind with fast turnaround times for test results.
• Affordable testing solutions contribute to efficient and effective drug policy enforcement.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Margie, MN

• The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests deliver a high accuracy in substance detection.
• Tests capture a wide range of substance use scenarios efficiently and effectively.
• By focusing on accuracy, hair follicle tests give timely insights that aid in making informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Margie, MN

• Hair follicle testing helps maintain adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• It reduces legal risks associated with workplace substance issues.
• Enhanced safety and compliance foster a positive and productive work 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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