Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North River, ND

What it is, How it works

Hair examination is increasingly recognized as an effective means of detecting substance use. Hair can reveal a prolonged history of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When trimmed close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, will produce 100mg, which is the optimum sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or more extensive panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is advisable. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be used. The term "head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair variations (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase entailing the inclusion of a sample into the lab's system. It involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional manual data adjustments absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial substance abuse inspection. Though Screening is economical and efficient for most samples, any positive screening requires confirmation to be deemed court-acceptable. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a screening be presumptively positive, additional hair from the original sample is extracted and prepared for the Extraction phase. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Any positive screen result undergoes Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positives are carefully washed preceding confirmation when necessary. The entirety of the lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is subject to review per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can recognize drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to manipulate: Hair drug testing results are less prone to falsification.
• Supplies historical insight: It offers a view of the drug usage pattern over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Results variability: Hair color and unique growth differences can alter drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Even though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In North River, ND, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests due to superior accuracy and reliability. Hair tests cover a longer detection window and are difficult to cheat, providing more consistent results. If reliability in drug detection is vital, consider hair testing for your needs.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in North River, ND, allows employers to see an extended drug use history. With a detection period of up to 90 days, it gives an in-depth view of an individual's substance usage patterns, proving invaluable when evaluating potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the strongest advantages of hair follicle testing in North River, ND, is its resistance to tampering. This method of drug testing greatly reduces the opportunity for sample adulteration, ensuring that the results you receive are authentic and reliable without any manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In North River, ND, we provide convenient options with both nationwide and local testing locations. Our centers offer quick and easy access, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience for anyone needing a drug test. Take advantage of this accessibility to meet your testing needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in North River, ND, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, the process is simple and respects your privacy, making it as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and fast turnaround make hair follicle testing in North River, ND, a cost-effective choice. Our competitive pricing structures provide excellent value, while our quick results deliver peace of mind, no matter the size of your company or organization.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in North River, ND, offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are known for their high precision in detecting substance use, providing trustworthy outcomes quickly. Their speed and precision make them a preferred choice for those seeking certainty in drug screening processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in North River, ND, helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies. By adopting this method, you reduce legal risks and enhance safety, leading to peace of mind and a more secure work environment for everyone involved.

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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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