Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Spring Hill, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method to uncover drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extended timeline of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 90-day period for detecting alcohol and drug usage. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A segment measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. In instances where scalp hair is not present, an equivalent volume of body hair could be used. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair only, whereas body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The four pivotal phases in handling a drug test result at the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample undergoes its initial entry into a laboratory’s system. This entails confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry tasks not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use on the majority of specimens, a positive outcome in screening must be substantiated to hold up in court. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this procedure, drugs are separated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any presumptive positive findings is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized in accordance with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug analyses can spot drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a limited detection timeline.
• Challenging to evade: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Historical usage data: Offers insights into usage patterns over an interval, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs typically take about 5-7 days to become apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual examination focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair vs. Urine Testing

In Spring Hill, MN, hair follicle testing constantly proves its merit over conventional urine tests. It provides a longer detection period and enhanced reliability, making it the preferred choice among employers. Its ability to uncover drug use history over time surpasses the immediate but limited scope of urine tests, showcasing why it's superior.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

In Spring Hill, MN, hair follicle testing offers a vast detection window, often reaching up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeline gives employers thorough insight into an employee's past substance use, making it a valuable tool for pre-employment screening. Its broad detection range is unmatched by shorter-duration tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant

In Spring Hill, MN, hair follicle tests stand out for their resistance to tampering. The nature of the test minimizes sample adulteration, ensuring reliable and conclusive results. This integrity in testing provides employers with unquestionable peace of mind, strengthening the credibility of their drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Centers

Spring Hill, MN residents benefit from our extensive network of nationwide testing sites, providing straightforward access to drug testing services. Our numerous locations facilitate convenient, swift, and stress-free testing processes, accommodating needs promptly and efficiently across various regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential

In Spring Hill, MN, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and ensures privacy. From ordering to result retrieval, clients experience a seamless journey, addressing any concerns about confidentiality. Its user-friendly approach streamlines the entire procedure, maintaining individual discretion throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable and Timely

In Spring Hill, MN, our drug testing services stand out for their cost-effectiveness and quick turnaround. Competitive pricing structures coupled with fast result delivery offer businesses of all sizes incredible value. This balance of quality and speed promises peace of mind without compromising budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, Reliable

In Spring Hill, MN, the precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled. These tests excel in providing precise and swift results, pinpointing substance use with remarkable accuracy. Their superiority in detecting drug traces outshines traditional methods, offering a dependable solution for critical assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind

For Spring Hill, MN employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This method significantly curtails legal risks while boosting workplace security. With stringent policies in place, businesses can operate seamlessly, knowing they are fostering a safe and compliant environment.

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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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