Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harlow, ND

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When collected close to the scalp, it can offer almost a 3-month detection window for substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, quite difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield about 100mg, the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, additional assays, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four core stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This entails confirming that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not supplied by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening do require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed 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 for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a much shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Highlights historical usage: It can illustrate a pattern of drug usage over time, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Harlow, ND
Hair follicle testing offers several advantages over urine testing, demonstrating greater detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests go beyond the short window of urine tests, letting employers identify long-term substance use with confidence in Harlow, ND.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Harlow, ND
Hair follicle tests uncover drug usage over an extended period, up to 90 days. This expansive detection window provides employers in Harlow, ND, with a substantial view of an individual's substance history, aiding in comprehensive assessments for both applicants and employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Harlow, ND
Hair follicle tests offer a robust defense against tampering, making them a trusted choice in Harlow, ND. The test's design reduces alterations, guaranteeing reliable and unquestionable results that support fair and accurate evaluations for employers and other stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Harlow, ND
With testing centers spread nationwide, accessing drug testing services is both swift and straightforward. Our Harlow, ND location ensures prompt, convenient testing without the hassle, supporting all individuals' and employers' needs across various regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Harlow, ND
Our process for hair follicle testing prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. In Harlow, ND, this ensures that ordering, testing, and receiving results is straightforward while maintaining privacy, thereby addressing any concerns regarding the ease of use and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Harlow, ND
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround in Harlow, ND, deliver outstanding value for companies of all sizes. Accessible pricing structures paired with efficient service reinforce our commitment to providing peace of mind and excellent value to the businesses we serve.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Harlow, ND
Hair follicle testing is renowned for its precision and robustness in detecting drug use. With superior accuracy, these tests outshine other methods, offering quick and reliable results. Employers and organizations in Harlow, ND, can trust hair testing to produce clear and dependable results, ensuring both speed and accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Harlow, ND
Adopting hair follicle testing enables employers in Harlow, ND, to reinforce compliance with drug-free policies while mitigating legal risks. This testing method enhances workplace safety and offers peace of mind, knowing that stricter standards are upheld.

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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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