Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Union, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying substance use. The hair on one's head offers a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug exposure by capturing markers within the fibers of the growing strand. When taken near the scalp, hair provides roughly a 3-month period for drug and alcohol detection. The hair collection process is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and conveniently shipped.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in width to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and tests over 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing process in the laboratory is divided into four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample in a lab’s system. This step includes confirming the sample's seal and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra information not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary test for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective for ruling out substance use in most cases, a positive screening result requires confirmation for legal validity. Any samples initially indicated as positive in the Screening mandate further confirmation.

For presumed positive results during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower level compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing notably challenging to perform.

Any confirmed positive result undergoes verification using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the complete lab process is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can discover drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection times.
• Difficult to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Tracks usage history: Provides a drug use timeline, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair tests.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis is done on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in West Union, MN

• Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy, unchallenged by traditional urine tests.
• Employers in West Union trust hair tests for their enhanced reliability in drug use history.
• With an extended detection window, hair testing provides a comprehensive view.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in West Union, MN

• Hair follicle tests uncover drug use over up to 90 days, offering an extensive assessment.
• This longer window enables a thorough review of substance use history.
• Ideal for employers seeking a broader understanding of applicant substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in West Union, MN

• Hair tests present a formidable barrier against sample tampering.
• Providing unquestionable results, they mitigate the risk of adulteration.
• A highly secure method, it bolsters trust and reliability in testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Locations Nationwide and Locally in West Union, MN

• With a wide array of nationwide centers, accessing testing is straightforward.
• Convenient local facilities provide quick and hassle-free service.
• Our network ensures you find a center easily, saving time and effort.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless, Confidential Testing Process in West Union, MN

• Our testing procedure is streamlined for simplicity and confidentiality.
• From order to results, privacy is prioritized, ensuring user peace of mind.
• Users enjoy a seamless experience with our user-friendly service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Rapid Results in West Union, MN

• Competitive pricing pairs with quick turnaround times for exceptional value.
• Businesses benefit from our cost-effective solutions, boosting their budgets.
• Fast results provide assurance, enhancing satisfaction among clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Outcomes in West Union, MN

• Hair follicle drug tests provide precise and swift results, detecting substances with high accuracy.
• A trusted choice in substance detection, these tests deliver reliability in minutes.
• Our testing centers prioritize speed, ensuring prompt and exact results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in West Union, MN

• Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• Minimizing legal risks, it fosters a safer work environment.
• Employers gain peace of mind, knowing their policies are effectively enforced.

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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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