Hair Follicle Drug Testing - The Lakes, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug consumption by sealing biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair shaft. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A segment of 1.5 inches, weighing roughly 100mg (approximately akin to a #2 pencil in thickness), nearest the scalp, is the preferred sample quantity for testing and validation. For EtG assessments, additional analyses, or panels beyond 10 types, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest measuring the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it's specific to scalp hair. Body hair denotes other varieties such as facial, axillary, and similar.

Sample Processing Steps

The laboratory procedure for processing drug test outcomes primarily involves four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes integrating a sample into the lab’s system. This process ensures the sample's seal and shipment were correct, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data inputs absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening acts as a preliminary evaluation for drug substances. Although it is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug consumption for most samples, a positive screening result demands further verification to be legally valid. Any samples testing presumptively positive in Screening must undergo confirmatory testing.

Upon obtaining a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring hair testing as one of the most intricate procedures to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is achieved through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples indicated as presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Merits of Hair Drug Testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection span.
• Challenge to falsify: Falsifying a hair drug test is exceptionally difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals past usage: It offers a timeline of drug intake spanning time, rather than solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result fluctuations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence metabolite presence in the hair.

Note: While often labeled "hair follicle tests," the actual examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In The Lakes, MN, one reason hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing is its superior accuracy. Hair tests provide more reliable results as they are less prone to tampering.

The detection capabilities of hair tests offer an edge over urine tests, making them a preferred choice for ensuring drug-free environments.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in The Lakes, MN, is renowned for its extended detection window, up to 90 days. This long duration gives employers a broader view of substance usage.

Employers benefit as they can make informed decisions based on an employee or applicant's past 3-month drug use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in The Lakes, MN, present a tamper-resistant method of sample collection. This approach diminishes the possibility of adulteration.

The integrity of hair tests ensures test results remain straightforward and reliable, reducing any doubt concerning authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our facilities extend nationwide, providing accessibility and convenience for those in The Lakes, MN seeking testing services. Testing becomes seamless and nearby.

Local centers make it hassle-free to engage in testing, promoting ease of access for both employers and individuals.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in The Lakes, MN, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to results, privacy is upheld, ensuring user comfort.

Clear instructions facilitate ease of use, ensuring that participants are informed every step of the way.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in The Lakes, MN is offered at a competitive rate, ensuring affordability. Our pricing structures cater to businesses of all sizes.

The quick turnaround time of our tests ensures results are delivered efficiently, providing value and reassurance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In The Lakes, MN, hair follicle drug testing offers a swift and accurate solution to detecting substance use. With its high precision, it accurately identifies drug presence, ensuring reliability.

The speed at which hair tests deliver results is impressive, providing timely answers. This efficiency is crucial for employers and individuals seeking fast insights into substance use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in The Lakes, MN, gain peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing. It aids in maintaining workplace policy compliance, mitigating legal liabilities, and enhancing safety.

With its robust testing procedures, organizations can confidently uphold their drug-free policies.

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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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