Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maynard, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a prolonged history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is an optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process checks that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any necessary additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial quick assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screening result must be verified to be legally valid. Any samples with a presumptive positive result during Screening require an additional confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair in much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are washed as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is certified to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasted with urine tests that have a shorter detection window.
• Inability to cheat: Hair drug tests are challenging to counterfeit, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical data: They reveal patterns of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Higher costs: Hair drug tests are typically more expensive than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Maynard, MN, hair follicle testing prevails over traditional urine tests by detecting drug use with unmatched precision and consistency. Although both methods serve as substance screening options, hair testing offers superior accuracy and dependability, identifying substance traces otherwise missed in urine tests. This advantage underscores its value for a foolproof substance detection process.

Extended Detection Window

Offering an Extended Detection Window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Maynard, MN receives recognition for providing a panoramic view of a person's drug utilization history. This method accommodates employers requiring phrasal solutions that surpass the temporal limitations of standard urine tests, offering longer-term substance history insights crucial for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The robustness of hair follicle testing in Maynard, MN lies in its Resistance to Tampering. This testing method substantially mitigates the risks of sample alteration. In contrast to urine tests, it is much harder to evade detection with hair sampling, ensuring results maintain integrity and are indisputable, promoting confidence in test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Accessible Testing Locations across Maynard, MN and beyond, Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the process for employers and individuals. The extensive national network ensures convenient and efficient access to testing services, providing hassle-free experiences that accommodate various scheduling and logistical needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The Easy and Confidential nature of the hair follicle testing process in Maynard, MN addresses privacy and usage concerns effectively. The streamlined procedure for ordering, participating, and receiving results respects user confidentiality and is user-friendly, enhancing comfort and trust in managing one's health privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Maynard, MN, Competitive Pricing and Speed characterize the offering with cost-effective solutions and rapid turnaround times. These attributes offer outstanding value, assuring companies of all sizes that they're investing in reliable and economical testing services, affirming expense-wise satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Quick and Precise Results in Maynard, MN highlight the superior precision and expeditious nature of hair follicle drug testing. This method is marked by high accuracy levels, reliably pinpointing substance use with minimal error factors, making it an ideal choice for those needing immediate and dependable drug use assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Maynard, MN delivers Compliance and Assurance for employers adhering to drug policy requirements. This testing paradigm helps companies meet regulatory demands, diminishing legal exposures and fostering a secure workplace environment through consistent, policy-aligned substance monitoring practices.

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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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