Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Minnesota City, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now viewed as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can yield an alcohol and drug detection window that extends up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for both screening and verification. For tests like EtG add-ons or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. The term "head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s system. This step includes checking that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most cases, positive results require confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample to prepare it for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods such as urine or oral fluid, illustrating why hair drug screening is considered one of the most challenging methodologies to implement.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that test presumptively positive are washed before confirmation, if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits 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 duration.
• Difficult to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, resulting in more accurate outcomes.
• Shows historical usage: It can illustrate a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually costlier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Even though these tests are often referenced as "hair follicle tests," they analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Minnesota City, MN surpasses urine testing by providing superior detection capabilities and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which are limited to short detection windows, hair tests offer a comprehensive review of substance use over an extended period.

Employers and officials often favor hair testing for its robust detection and reduced risk of sample tampering. For those serious about maintaining a safe, drug-free environment, hair testing offers an unparalleled advantage over traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In Minnesota City, MN, hair follicle testing stands out due to its extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug use history. This gives employers a broader perspective on an individual's substance habits.

Such extended detection capabilities help employers make informed hiring or monitoring decisions, offering insights into long-term substance use patterns that other tests simply cannot provide.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Minnesota City, MN, are designed to be tamper-resistant, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. The method's reliability ensures that the test outcomes are unquestionable.

This integrity makes hair follicle testing a preferred choice for maintaining accurate records of substance use, as attempts to alter or mask results are virtually nonexistent compared to other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers across the nation and locally in Minnesota City, MN, Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience. Quick and hassle-free access to testing services is a significant advantage for employers and individuals alike.

The extensive network of locations ensures that wherever you are, a reliable testing center is within reach, making the entire process seamless and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Minnesota City, MN, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Accredited Drug Testing ensures privacy at every step, from ordering tests to receiving results, addressing all privacy concerns adequately.

Users experience an easy and straightforward procedure, reflecting a commitment to confidentiality and user-friendly services. This makes hair testing an appealing choice for those valuing discretion and efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing provides competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Minnesota City, MN, ensuring excellent value. Their affordable pricing structures cater to companies of all sizes.

Fast results coupled with cost-effectiveness offer peace of mind and ensure businesses can maintain compliance without financial strain, making it a viable option for consistent testing practices.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Minnesota City, MN, hair follicle drug testing offers fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method excels in precision, identifying substance use with high accuracy, ensuring that results are not only quick but also dependable.

The speed and accuracy of hair sampling make it an excellent choice for those needing immediate and trustworthy drug test outcomes. Hair tests analyze substances in a way that enhances detection precision, enabling timely interventions when necessary.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Minnesota City, MN, use hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal risks and enhances workplace safety by providing dependable drug use assessments.

The peace of mind from using a reliable testing method makes hair follicle testing invaluable. It helps employers uphold a safe, productive work environment, free from the influence of drugs.

Drug Testing Near Minnesota City, MN

South Saint Paul, MN

Roseville, MN

Falcon Heights, MN

Sunfish Lake, MN

Highland, MN

Mendota Heights, MN

Mendota, MN

South St. Paul, MN

Bloomington, MN

West Saint Paul, MN

Lilydale, MN

West St. Paul, MN

St. Paul, MN

Saint Paul, MN

Ramsey, MN

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews