Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Auburn, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for discovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and other substances, capturing biomarkers within the strands as they develop. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal usage of alcohol and drugs over a span of roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A segment measuring 1.5 inches and containing approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for evaluative testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" refers specifically to hair from the scalp, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for processing a drug test entails four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This process ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive result from screening must be validated to stand in a legal setting. Samples testing positive in Screening need further verification.

For samples testing positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents the most challenges.

Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned as necessary before Confirmation. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug analyses can reveal drug use up to 90 days back, while urine tests cover a shorter duration.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing result fidelity.
• Historic usage data: It provides a chronological account of drug consumption, not merely recent activities.

Disadvantages:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs usually become traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluation is typically costlier than other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand, not the scalp's follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Auburn, WI

Hair follicle testing offers superior detection capabilities compared to traditional urine tests. In Auburn, WI, its enhanced accuracy and reliability ensure a well-rounded portrayal of an individual’s substance use history. This makes it a preferred option for employers seeking dependable drug detection methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Auburn, WI

With an ability to uncover drug use over a 90-day period, hair follicle testing in Auburn, WI, provides employers with an extensive overview of an applicant's substance history. This enhanced detection window allows for more informed hiring and monitoring decisions, ensuring a safer and more compliant workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Auburn, WI

Hair follicle tests offer a significant reduction in sample adulteration risks. In Auburn, WI, the integrity of hair testing ensures results that are reliable and indisputable. This makes the method a robust option for accurate substance detection, virtually eliminating concerns over sample tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Auburn, WI

The extensive network of testing centers, including the local facility in Auburn, WI, ensures that accessing drug testing services is straightforward and convenient. This abundance of available locations simplifies the process for individuals and employers needing swift and hassle-free testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Auburn, WI

The process for undergoing hair follicle testing in Auburn, WI, is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease, addressing concerns individuals might have about confidentiality and the simplicity of the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Auburn, WI

Competitive pricing paired with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing services in Auburn, WI, accessible and valuable for businesses of all sizes. This combination of affordability and speed ensures that companies receive excellent service without compromise.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Reliable, and Precise Results in Auburn, WI

In Auburn, hair follicle testing exemplifies speed and accuracy in detecting substance use. Its precision surpasses traditional methods, ensuring that any use of substances is captured reliably. Employers benefit from this high level of accuracy, making it an exceptional choice for workplace substance detection and safety assurance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Auburn, WI

Employers in Auburn, WI, can rest easy knowing that hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This approach not only mitigates legal risks but also promotes a safer and more efficient work environment, reinforcing the company's commitment to employee well-being.

Drug Testing Near Auburn, WI

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Campbellsport, WI

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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