Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brule, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug presence by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of around three months for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in circumference to a #2 pencil) from near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and verification. For additional tests like EtG and those beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferable. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of body hair is collectable. 'Head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The core steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of introducing a sample into the laboratory system. It involves checking that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entries not provided via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for substance abuse. Although this is a cost-effective method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screening must be verified for legal acceptability. Samples that show presumptive positives during Screening necessitate a confirmatory test.

When a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), posing challenges for hair drug screening.

Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples exhibiting presumptive positives are subject to washing before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests discover drug use over a span of up to 90 days, longer than urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: It's difficult to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It presents a record of drug usage over time, rather than simply recent activity.

Limitations:

• No detection of recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to be apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and personal growth variations influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing triumphs over urine tests in Brule, WI, primarily due to its enhanced detection capabilities and reliability. While urine tests may provide quick results, hair follicle testing offers a broader detection window and is less prone to tampering, ensuring more dependable findings. With a scope of up to 90 days, when it comes to accuracy and trustworthiness, hair tests are the clear choice.

Extended Detection Window

Offering an extensive detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Brule, WI, enables employers to gain an all-encompassing understanding of an applicant's or employee's drug use history. This deeply informative method provides a long-term view of substance use, aiding employers in making more informed decisions regarding workplace safety and employability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Brule, WI, significantly minimize the chances of sample tampering, presenting results that are steadfast and irrefutable. In contrast to other methods, these tests are nearly impossible to alter or manipulate, providing confidence to entities relying on the integrity and validity of the testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Boasting numerous nationwide testing sites, our network ensures accessibility and convenience for Brule, WI residents. Whether you're in Brule or elsewhere, arranging for testing services is swift and straightforward, offering a hassle-free experience. This expansive network empowers users to access drug testing services effortlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Brule, WI, the process of hair follicle testing remains straightforward and discreet. From placing an order to receiving results, the procedure is designed to respect privacy while maintaining ease of use. Users can take comfort in a confidential process that prioritizes their privacy and utility, enhancing their overall experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing in Brule, WI, ensures that hair follicle testing is both budget-friendly and quick to deliver results. The economical cost, combined with rapid turnaround times, provides businesses with superb value and assurance. Regardless of company size, our services offer economical and timely solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Brule, WI, hair follicle drug testing delivers swift, precise, and dependable outcomes. This method excels in identifying substance use, offering a level of accuracy that surpasses other testing techniques. Individuals in Brule can trust in receiving not only fast but also highly reliable results, making hair follicle testing an ideal selection for many.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Brule, WI, hair follicle testing facilitates alignment with drug-free workplace policies, scale down legal implications, and bolster workplace security. Implementing this test ensures organizations are compliant, providing peace of mind through a reliable testing process that upholds a safe and secure work environment.

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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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