Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Auburndale, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a detailed timeline of substance use by incorporating biomarkers into hair strands as they develop. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal an alcohol and drug use timeline of nearly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (approximately similar to a #2 pencil's thickness) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred quantity for both initial and confirmatory tests. For EtG, extended panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, collecting a comparable amount of body hair is an option. References to head hair indicate only scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four key procedures in lab processing to determine drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the lab’s records. This incorporates confirming proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by electronic tracking.

Screening conducts an initial rapid examination for controlled substances. Though Screening offers a cost-effective strategy to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal acceptance. Any samples with indicative positive results in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, a further portion of hair is utilized from the main sample for Extraction preparation. Here, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair analysis the most complex method.

Confirmation of a positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The laboratory conduct from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair tests track substance use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter framework.
• Increased test integrity: Cheating a hair test is significantly challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Sequential use pattern: It identifies usage trends over time rather than just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent intake: Drugs only become discernible in hair roughly 5-7 days after consumption.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to be more costly compared to alternative testing techniques.
• Result variability: Individual differences in hair color and growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration levels in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", this method analyzes the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Auburndale, WI, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests due to enhanced detection capabilities. Extended detection periods surpass those of urine tests, providing up to 90 days of substance use history. This longer timeframe and high accuracy offer more reliable insights into an individual's drug use, reducing uncertainties that often accompany urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

The detection window for hair follicle testing in Auburndale, WI, is notably vast. Unlike other tests, hair analysis detects drug consumption for up to 90 days, giving employers a comprehensive look at an individual's relevant history. This extended timeframe is instrumental for companies dedicated to maintaining a drug-free workspace, providing insights missed by shorter-term tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Auburndale, WI, significantly minimizes the chance of sample tampering. Using this tamper-resistant method ensures unquestionable results, setting a standard for reliability. The direct collection process effectively prevents sample adulteration, safeguarding the integrity of the testing outcome and maintaining the trust of businesses in acquired data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers are conveniently located nationwide, including in Auburndale, WI, providing easy access to services. Quick and hassle-free, our local facilities ensure that you can get tested without delay. This wide network simplifies the process, ensuring that testing services are available whenever and wherever needed for your convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Auburndale, WI, the hair follicle drug testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, privacy is paramount. Clear instructions make taking the test straightforward, while secure procedures ensure user information remains private. This ease of use coupled with confidentiality addresses common concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround, our services in Auburndale, WI, deliver excellent value. Hair follicle testing doesn't just ensure accuracy; it provides businesses of all sizes an affordable option for their testing needs. Quick results foster peace of mind, allowing employers to focus on running their operations smoothly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Auburndale, WI, offer speedy and accurate results. High precision in detecting substance use makes them a preferred choice. Their cutting-edge technology ensures reliability, quickly identifying any drug use.
The effectiveness of hair tests in capturing detailed drug history provides unparalleled accuracy, supporting informed decision-making for employers.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Auburndale, WI, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies. The method supports stronger legal standing and enhances workplace safety. By choosing hair testing, companies protect themselves against potential liabilities, fostering a safer and more trustworthy environment for all.

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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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