Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Akan, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair is capable of offering a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. The collection process is straightforward, the alteration is relatively hard, and the transportation is uncomplicated.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil in size) from the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is perfect for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When referencing head hair, we are specifically discussing scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is about the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. It entails verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a rapid preliminary assessment for substances of misuse. While screening offers an economical route to exclude drug use in most samples, confirmation of positive screens is necessary for court acceptance. Samples showing presumed positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample shows presumed positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging modus operandi.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, increasing result accuracy.
• Yields historical insight: It provides a usage pattern over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting fresh use: It typically requires 5-7 days for substances to show in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally come at a higher cost compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", they examine the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Opt for Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Testing in Akan, WI?

Hair follicle tests excel over urine tests primarily through their extended detection capabilities. While urine tests may only indicate recent substance use, hair analysis offers a broader picture, capturing up to 90 days of history.

Moreover, by minimizing avenues for tampering or deceit, hair tests provide an unadulterated view of an individual's substance use, granting employers more dependable results for critical decisions.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window: A Thorough Insight in Akan, WI

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This generous detection window provides employers with a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history.

For organizations striving to ensure a drug-free environment, this long-term insight is invaluable, informing decisions with a complete perspective of an employee or applicant's behaviors.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Assurance with Hair Follicle Tests in Akan, WI

Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risks of sample tampering. The collection process is observed, leaving minimal room for manipulation, unlike urine tests which can be compromised.

Thus, organizations and individuals can trust the results, knowing they reflect an accurate account of substance use without external influence, providing significant peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations Nationwide and in Akan, WI

Access to convenient testing centers is vital for seamless service delivery. Accredited Drug Testing offers a vast network of locations nationwide, including local options in Akan, ensuring ease of access for all individuals.

Our comprehensive setup allows for hassle-free testing, making the process swift and straightforward, providing unparalleled convenience to clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Testing Process in Akan, WI

The process of hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From scheduling to collection and result receipt, every step ensures user privacy.

This transparency and simplicity alleviate concerns, providing users with confidence in the protection of their personal data and the integrity of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Value Through Competitive Pricing and Fast Results in Akan, WI

Affordable pricing structures make hair follicle testing a viable option for businesses, large and small. Accompanied by rapid turnaround times, our services stand out for their exceptional value.

This balance of cost-effectiveness and speed ensures companies achieve reliable test results without compromising on budgetary constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Efficient and Precise Results in Akan, WI

The hair follicle drug test stands out with its swift and accurate results. Its high precision makes it invaluable in detecting a range of substances with reliability that surpasses traditional methods. This ensures that individuals and organizations gain clear insights within a short span.

Furthermore, the rapid technological advances in analysis have ensured quicker turnaround times while maintaining test integrity. This enhances the efficacy of screening processes in organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Security for Employers in Akan, WI

Utilizing hair follicle tests helps employers maintain a drug-free workplace, aligning with strict compliance standards. This method bolsters legal compliance, minimizing potential risks associated with substance use in professional settings.

The reliability of these tests enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind and assurance that policies are effectively upheld and 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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