Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashwaubenon, WI

What it is, How it works

The examination of hair is now recognized as an impactful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomolecules in their fibers as they grow, offering an extended record of alcohol and drugs. When secured near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate detection period of three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

Gathering a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (similar in width to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equates to 100mg, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair involves all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core phases in lab processing of a drug testing outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This stage involves ensuring the sample is sealed and transported correctly, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any leftover data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary brisk evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient way to dismiss drug intake in the majority of cases, a positive screen mandates confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening need further confirmation.

For presumptive positive cases in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at notably lower intensities compared to other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Any positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methods. Samples indicating probable positives are cleaned prior to Confirmation as required. The whole lab operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and holds accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a narrower detection duration.
• Hard to fake: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It outlines a pattern of drug consumption over time, beyond recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot uncover recent use: Drugs generally become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically more costly than other drug screening techniques.
• Result discrepancies: Variabilities like hair color and personal hair growth patterns can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Ashwaubenon, WI, the advantages are clear. Hair testing offers superior detection and reliability, capturing drug use over a longer span. While urine tests have remained standard, hair testing's comprehensive accuracy is undeniable, providing more detailed insights into substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Ashwaubenon, WI, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, enabling employers to thoroughly assess an applicant's past substance use. This long detection period empowers businesses with knowledge that can aid in making informed hiring decisions, providing a deeper look into an individual's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Ashwaubenon, WI, hair follicle tests are a tamper-resistant method, significantly minimizing chances of sample adulteration. This aspect provides trustworthy results, leaving little room for manipulation. With stringent collection processes, these tests assure reliability and credibility, enhancing their validity over other methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing brings convenience nationwide with our extensive testing center network, including locations near Ashwaubenon, WI. This network assures easy access to testing services, allowing for a hassle-free and swift process for all parties involved, supporting both individuals and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ashwaubenon, WI, Accredited Drug Testing provides a simple and confidential process for conducting hair follicle tests. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure respects privacy, offering a streamlined experience. This commitment ensures user-friendly interactions, making the entire experience smooth and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Ashwaubenon, WI, feature affordable pricing and quick turnaround times. These attributes deliver great value alongside the assurance of prompt results. For businesses of all sizes, this approach provides financial efficiency while not compromising on the quality of testing services offered.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For residents and businesses in Ashwaubenon, WI, hair follicle drug tests promise fast and accurate results. With remarkable precision, these tests can swiftly identify substance use, ensuring reliability. The efficiency and speed offered by hair testing make it a preferred choice for detecting drug use, aligning with contemporary needs for rapid results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Ashwaubenon, WI, using hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind. Adhering to drug-free policies, the method reduces potential legal risks while promoting a safer work environment. Empowered by this testing approach, businesses can maintain policy adherence effectively.

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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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