Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Redby, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair strands offer a historical record of substance use by integrating biomarkers within their growing fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage up to an approximate duration of 3 months. The collection process is straightforward, it is relatively resistant to tampering, and can be easily transported.

A 1.5-inch portion of about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, suitable for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair is permissible. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair only, while body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for processing a drug test in the lab comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial steps of processing a sample into the lab’s system. This step involves verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not submitted digitally through a chain of custody system.

Screening offers a rapid initial assessment for drug presence. While Screening affords a cost-effective approach to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive result needs confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples that give a presumptive positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

For presumptive positives from the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid); thus, hair drug testing is one of the most complex methodologies.

Confirmation for any positive results from screening employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive findings are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation conforming to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug usage up to 90 days, contrasting with the shorter window associated with urine tests.
• Hard to evade: Cheating on a hair drug test is quite challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Chronological data available: Such tests reveal a pattern of drug consumption over a timeline, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become discernible in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically exceed in cost compared to alternate drug testing methods.
• Variations in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth discrepancies may influence the drug metabolite levels in hair samples.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually pertains to the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Redby, MN, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests, offering unparalleled accuracy. Hair tests provide a deeper insight into substance use patterns.

Unlike urine, which has a limited detection window, hair testing identifies drug use over an extended period, ensuring reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Redby, MN, benefits from hair follicle testing’s comprehensive detection timeframe, up to 90 days. Employers gain a full view of substance use history.

This extended window aids in better assessing candidates or employees, surpassing the limitations of brief urine test windows.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Redby, MN, effectively minimizes tampering risks. The test method is designed to provide unquestionable and reliable findings.

Compared to urine tests, hair analysis significantly reduces chances of adulteration, boosting confidence in test results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of nationwide and local testing centers in Redby, MN, making test access seamless. Accredited Drug Testing ensures a straightforward testing experience.

Our widespread locations facilitate quick and hassle-free service delivery for all your testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Redby, MN, Accredited Drug Testing offers a straightforward, private process. Ordering, conducting, and receiving tests are managed with ease.

Concerns around privacy are addressed, ensuring a seamless and confidential experience for all involved parties.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Redby, MN, prides itself on competitive pricing and swift result times. These factors combine to deliver exceptional value.

For companies of any scale, our pricing and rapid turnaround ensure excellent service and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Redby, MN, provide swift, precise, and reliable outcomes. These tests deliver high precision, giving an accurate portrayal of substance intake.

The technology ensures rapid results, offering assurance and confidence in the detection process. Hair testing is superior in detecting varied substances with high accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Redby, MN, find peace of mind with hair follicle tests. These tests bolster adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal concerns.

The method enhances workplace safety, providing critical compliance assurance efficiently.

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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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