Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Benderville, WI

What it is, How it works

The detection of drug and alcohol consumption has increasingly leveraged hair testing as a robust method. Hair retains biomarkers of alcohol and other substances within its fibers, offering a prolonged historical record. Samples taken near the scalp can provide a detection timeframe of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, it resists tampering, and is convenient for shipping.

Collecting a 1.5-inch portion of about 200 strands of hair (roughly matching the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp will yield 100 mg, which is an ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding ten panels, it is advisable to collect 150 mg of the sample. We suggest verifying the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be obtained. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the lab's system. This involves confirming the integrity of the sample’s seal and shipment, assigning it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplemental data entry not already provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment to identify drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to disqualify drug use for most samples, positive findings require confirmation for legal validity. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If the Screening stage indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. During this process, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly complex methodology.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are employed to confirm any positive screening outcome. Any presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a limited detection period.
• Strong resistance to manipulation: The difficulty involved in cheating a hair drug test enhances the reliability of the results.
• Historical use insight: It provides insights into patterns of drug use over time, rather than solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Ineffective for recent drug use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than alternative drug assessment methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors such as the color of hair and individual differences in hair growth may impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Benderville, WI, consistently surpasses traditional urine testing in multiple domains. Its superior accuracy and reliability make it the preferred choice for diverse settings. Contrasting with urine tests, hair analysis offers an extended detection period and unmatched scrutiny, giving stakeholders peace of mind due to its tamper-resistant nature and historical insights.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Benderville, WI, provide insights spanning up to 90 days. This extended detection window is advantageous for employers seeking a thorough overview of an individual's substance history. Unlike shorter-term tests, hair analysis captures long-term substance use patterns, offering employers valuable insights into their workforce's recreational habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Employers in Benderville, WI, benefit significantly from hair follicle drug tests due to their tamper-resistant nature. The method nearly eliminates the potential for sample adulteration or substitution, rendering the results trustworthy and credible. This reliability assures stakeholders of receiving genuine results, critical for workplace safety and compliance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide network guarantees quick and convenient access to hair follicle testing services in Benderville, WI. Locally available testing centers eliminate logistical hurdles, allowing employees and employers to easily comply with drug screening requirements. This ease of access underscores the commitment to client convenience and satisfaction.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Benderville, WI, the hair follicle testing process is notably simple and confidential. From scheduling to receiving results, the user-friendly approach prioritizes privacy and ease of use. Clients appreciate the streamlined process, knowing that their personal information remains secure while still receiving timely, important results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

The hair follicle testing services in Benderville, WI, offer affordable pricing coupled with swift turnaround times. This combination delivers excellent value for entities of all sizes seeking reliable substance testing. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that cost-effective solutions do not compromise quality or effectiveness, offering businesses peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Benderville, WI, hair follicle drug tests are lauded for their precision and rapidity. Fast, Accurate, and Reliable aptly describes this testing method. Its prowess in detecting various substances ensures employers receive dependable results. Hair testing stands out as an accurate method, rapidly and effectively identifying comprehensive substance use where traditional methods might falter.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Benderville, WI, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. It grants employers peace of mind by reducing legal liabilities associated with drug-related incidents. By partnering with hair testing facilities, companies enhance their commitment to safety and well-being, fostering trust among employees and stakeholders.

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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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