Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brunswick, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a chronic record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers during growth. A sample taken near the scalp can disclose up to an approximately three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, moderately tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, considered the optimal sample size for testing and validation. For EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10 tests, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial sample processing into a lab's system. This step confirms the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any supplementary data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid test for substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient manner to exclude drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive is necessary for courtroom acceptance. Samples with presumptive positives from Screening undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a noticeably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a particularly challenging method to execute.

Positive Screening outcomes undergo Confirmation with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are cleansed before Confirmation as appropriate. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation following ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that feature a briefer detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, ensuring greater result accuracy.
• Historical insights: Provides a timeline of drug consumption over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incipient use undetectable: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Higher costs: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result discrepancies: Variables such as hair color and personal growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand itself, not the scalp's underlying hair follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out as superior to traditional urine tests in Brunswick, WI due to its extended detection accuracy and reliability. The hair test offers a broad detection window, capturing a more comprehensive substance use history, making it a preferred choice for employers and legal requirements.

While urine tests can identify recent drug use, hair follicle tests provide a deeper insight, ensuring consistency and trust in results. This makes hair testing the gold standard for businesses aiming for thorough drug screenings.

Extended Detection Window

In Brunswick, WI, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that spans up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeframe allows employers to assess the long-term substance use of an applicant or employee, providing a complete view of their drug use history.

Utilizing this method, businesses benefit from a more accurate and long-range assessment, which helps maintain a safer and more responsible workplace environment, ultimately boosting confidence in hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Brunswick, WI trusts hair follicle tests as a tamper-resistant method that significantly mitigates sample adulteration risks. The process ensures sample integrity, delivering results that are both reliable and beyond dispute.

The meticulous collection method associated with hair follicle testing further decreases the possibility of cheating, setting a high standard of authenticity. This assurance is pivotal for businesses looking to enforce stringent substance policies effectively.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Brunswick, WI, we provide the convenience of nationwide and local testing centers, simplifying access to essential drug testing services. Our widespread network ensures that clients experience a seamless, hassle-free process for all their testing needs.

With strategically located centers, our services are within easy reach, allowing for efficient scheduling and reducing downtime. This accessibility makes it easier for companies to uphold their safety and compliance obligations.

Simple, Confidential Process

With a focus on simplicity and confidentiality in Brunswick, WI, our hair follicle testing process is designed to ease users through each phase from ordering to receiving results. Our approach prioritizes privacy and ensures a discreet experience at every step.

Understanding the sensitivity surrounding drug testing, we emphasize clear instructions and secure communication channels, addressing concerns over handling and releasing test outcomes securely.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Brunswick, WI enjoys competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Our services offer excellent value and reassurance, catering to companies of various sizes. We prioritize cost-effectiveness without compromising on quality or speed.

By maintaining efficient processes and clear pricing structures, organizations can manage budgets effectively while still enforcing comprehensive drug testing protocols. Our commitment to affordability makes us the preferred choice in the industry.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Brunswick, WI, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with rapid, precise, and dependable results. These tests excel in accurately identifying substance use, leaving little room for error and offering transparency for all parties involved.

Highly valued for their quick turnaround, hair follicle tests in Brunswick ensure that employers receive essential information promptly. This timeliness facilitates quicker decision-making processes, streamlining employment or compliance evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Brunswick, WI find peace of mind and compliance with workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. This method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances the overall safety of the work environment.

The adherence to rigorous standards in hair testing helps organizations confidently demonstrate commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace, thus fostering a culture of safety, trust, and accountability.

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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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