Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wilder, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is gaining recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When samples are gathered nearby the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeline for alcohol and drugs extending up to roughly three months. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg of the sample. We suggest determining the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, a comparable volume of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While being a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires validation to be admissible in court. Any samples that indicate a presumptive positive in Screening need secondary confirmation.

If during the Screening phase a sample displays a presumptive positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this step, drugs are derived from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a 90-day period, as opposed to urine tests which offer a shorter detection duration.
• Difficulty to cheat: The difficulty in deceiving a hair drug test results in more trustworthy findings.
• Provides historical data: It offers a timeline of drug use throughout a certain period, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It generally requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Variations in results: Aspects such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Wilder, MN, becomes evident as it boasts superior detection accuracy and reliability. Compared to urine tests, hair testing can identify a broader spectrum of substances and demonstrate usage patterns over an extended time. This edge ensures a substantial advantage for employers wary of substance misuse in their workforce.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window offered by hair follicle testing in Wilder, MN, provides an opportunity for employers to view a more comprehensive substance history, spanning up to 90 days. This holistic view not only aids in making informed decisions but also strengthens efforts in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Wilder, MN via hair follicle tests ensures reliable, unquestionable outcomes. The difficulty in adulterating hair samples presents a huge advantage over other methods. Employers can thus rest assured the results are true reflections of the test subject's substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and local spots in Wilder, MN, bring the ease of quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing. With centers across the nation, our service guarantees that no matter where you are, accessing our testing facilities is straightforward and accessible.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Wilder, MN characterizes our hair follicle testing system. From ordering tests to receiving results, we prioritize user privacy and convenience, ensuring each step is seamless and secure. These measures reassure users they are in control at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Wilder, MN reinforces our commitment to delivering value and timely results. Our competitive pricing structure ensures that businesses, regardless of size, can access quality drug testing without financial strain, enhancing decision-making processes with quick feedback.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results arise from hair follicle drug tests in Wilder, MN. Their precision in detecting substances within the hair strand offers employers unparalleled accuracy. Hair testing ensures confidence that the results reflect true substance use, thanks to their well-documented accuracy and prompt processing times.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Wilder, MN is attained through hair follicle testing, ensuring a drug-free environment. This method supports adherence to workplace policies, cuts down on legal challenges, and contributes to a safer workplace, ultimately enhancing employer and employee confidence alike.

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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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