Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Medford, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust instrument for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair strands encapsulate a prolonged record of substance exposure by embedding biomarkers within their fibers. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal drug or alcohol consumption history for up to 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, enhanced panels, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent body hair sample may be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into a lab’s framework. It involves confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, creating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing information that wasn’t included in the electronic custody documentation.

Screening consists of a preliminary assessment to identify drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective method to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive results must be verified to be court-admissible. Any samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening require additional confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are separated from hair at a much lower concentration than in methods like urine or oral fluid testing, rendering hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that test positive initially are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use for a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to tamper with: It is notably difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, increasing the reliability of results.
• Displays historical usage: It can outline a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Medford, MN Hair follicle tests offer numerous advantages over traditional urine testing. They are known for their superior detection accuracy, efficiently identifying drug use over a longer period. This reliability makes them the preferred choice for those seeking comprehensive drug screening, providing a more complete picture of an individual's substance use history, compared to the limited timeframe of urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Medford, MN Hair follicle testing provides the benefit of a much longer detection period for drugs, spanning up to 90 days. This extensive window allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an employee's drug use history, offering a complete overview compared to the restricted window typical of other testing methods. It's an essential tool for long-term substance use detection.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Medford, MN Hair follicle testing is intrinsically tamper-resistant, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration or substitution. This secure method ensures that results remain reliable and indisputable, providing peace of mind for employers and legal authorities relying on clear and accurate drug use information.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Medford, MN Our extensive network of testing centers, available nationwide, makes drug testing convenient and stress-free. Whether you're in Medford, MN, or beyond, access to our services is quick and easy, offering a hassle-free experience for all clients needing timely testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Medford, MN The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. We prioritize privacy and ease of use, ensuring that individuals and businesses can access the testing services they need without any concerns over privacy or complexity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Medford, MN Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times deliver great value, making hair follicle testing accessible to businesses of all sizes. We are committed to providing efficient testing services that offer peace of mind, without compromising on quality or affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Medford, MN Hair follicle testing stands out in its ability to quickly and accurately detect drug use. This method ensures precision, offering reliable results that are trusted by experts. Utilizing advanced technology, hair tests provide fast turnaround times, crucial for time-sensitive situations, while maintaining the highest accuracy standards in substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Medford, MN By incorporating hair follicle testing into workplace policies, employers can ensure compliance with drug-free regulations and minimize legal risks. This method of testing enhances workplace safety by maintaining a drug-free environment, providing reassurance and peace of mind for business owners and their teams.

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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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