Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Morgan, MN

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair for testing has emerged as a formidable means to uncover drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged narrative of alcohol and various drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they lengthen. When obtained adjacent to the scalp, hair offers an approximate 90-day detection span for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to procure, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (resembling a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for analysis and corroboration. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or analysis exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Mention of head hair implies only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair variants (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory examination of a drug test result encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab’s framework. It involves confirming the proper sealing and dispatch of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any necessary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails an initial swift evaluation for drug misuse. Despite Screening being a budget-friendly measure to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive outcome must be corroborated for legal admissibility. Samples showing tentative positivity in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a sample registers as tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations lower than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most arduous technique to execute.

Any positive screen result undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessitated. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can disclose drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine exams, which have a reduced detection scope.
• Challenging to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals historical usage: It reveals a pattern of drug consumption over time rather than merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent ingestion: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug examinations tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors, including hair color and individual growth rate variations, can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Morgan, MN comes down to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analyses offer a more extensive detection timeframe, catching substance use that other tests might miss. This advantage solidifies hair testing as the preferred choice for a thorough drug screening process.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Morgan, MN is a key benefit of hair follicle testing. This method allows for the detection of drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days, which provides employers with a detailed view of a candidate or employee's substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Morgan, MN is exemplified in hair follicle tests. The risk of sample adulteration is significantly minimized, ensuring the test results remain trustworthy and beyond question. These qualities make hair testing a top choice for reliable drug detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Morgan, MN make conducting drug tests effortlessly accessible. With widespread testing centers, individuals and organizations can enjoy quick, efficient, and hassle-free services without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Morgan, MN is guaranteed with hair follicle testing. From ordering to receiving results, the process remains straightforward and private, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Morgan, MN highlight our competitive pricing structure paired with rapid result delivery. This combination offers excellent value and peace of mind for organizations of all sizes, ensuring they receive both cost-effectiveness and timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Morgan, MN are now achievable with hair follicle drug tests. These examinations excel in precision, ensuring no recent substance use goes unnoticed. Their speed and dependability in detecting drug and alcohol use provide employers and authorities with confidence in the results they receive.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Morgan, MN are ensured through the adoption of hair follicle testing. By aligning with drug-free workplace policies, businesses reduce potential legal challenges while promoting a safer work environment.

Drug Testing Near Morgan, MN

Renville, MN

Saint George, MN

Delhi, MN

Bechyn, MN

Sanborn, MN

Wabasso, MN

Sleepy Eye, MN

Fairfax, MN

Redwood Falls, MN

North Redwood, MN

Cobden, MN

Morton, MN

Franklin, MN

Clements, MN

Evan, 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