Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Viola, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of substances, including alcohol, by embedding markers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. By collecting hair close to the scalp, it can offer a detection period of roughly three months for substances such as alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) cut close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample gets initially processed into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid test for substances of abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screening result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening returns a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves retrieving drugs from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is among the most complex methodologies.

The Confirmation of any positive screen outcome is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before Confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection window.
• Challenge to falsify: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Historical data: It can outline a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: There is a 5-7 day period before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier compared to other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration within the hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests," this test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Viola, MN, hair follicle testing is gaining traction over urine testing due to notable benefits. Hair tests offer a longer window for detection, revealing drug use as far back as 90 days, whereas urine screens typically detect recent usage. For employers, this means a clearer, more inclusive view of an individual's substance habits, setting hair tests apart in their quest for accurate and secure screening methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended detection windows of up to 90 days make hair follicle testing in Viola, MN advantageous for employers. This method offers a thorough examination of a person's drug history over recent months, unlike urine tests that cover a much shorter timeline. Such comprehensive insight assists employers in making informed decisions about potential hires and current employees, ensuring drug-free work environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Viola, MN ensures credible results. Unlike urine samples which can be adulterated, hair samples significantly lower the risk of tampering. This reliability in results provides employers with confidence in their testing processes, minimizing doubts and enhancing the authenticity of negative or positive outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our nationwide and local testing centers in Viola, MN, getting tested is hassle-free. The availability of various locations ensures convenience for individuals requiring testing services. Whether local or elsewhere, our centers provide quick and accessible testing options, removing the stress of finding a nearby facility.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Viola, MN, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the steps are designed to protect privacy. Understanding concerns surrounding confidentiality, we've streamlined the process to be both user-friendly and secure, ensuring peace of mind for all users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our pricing in Viola, MN is affordable with quick service turnaround. We aim to provide competitive pricing without compromising on quality or speed of results. Businesses of all sizes benefit from our efficient processes, enjoying valuable services that ensure both economy and efficacy for their drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Viola, MN provide fast, precise, and dependable results. These tests are known for their high accuracy, efficiently detecting substance use. With such reliability, they reassure employers seeking trustworthy methods to screen individuals. Hair testing not only ensures prompt outcomes but also maintains a standard of precision unmatched by other test forms.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Viola, MN, hair follicle testing promotes compliance and provides peace of mind. Utilizing this method aids in adhering to workplace drug-free policies. By reducing legal risks and boosting safety measures, employers create a more secure work environment. This proactive approach helps in maintaining a responsible, effective workforce.

Drug Testing Near Viola, MN

Revere, 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.

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