Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Castle Rock, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug usage. The fibers in a strand of hair capture biomarkers, offering a long-term record of alcohol and drug presence. When collected near the scalp, hair testing can detect drug use over a period extending up to approximately three months. It's easy to collect hair samples, hard to tamper with them, and the shipping process is straightforward.

A 1.5-inch section with approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken from near the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both initial and confirmation tests. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's advised to use 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the hair specimen is advised. In the absence of scalp hair, the same amount of body hair may be utilized. In this context, head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample undergoes initial processing within a lab's system. This step ensures proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and adds any supplementary data not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid test for substance abuse. While this step is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any sample yielding a potential positive result during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

If the Screening stage implies a positive result, additional hair is taken from the sample for the Extraction process. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which underscores the complexity of hair drug screening methodology.

The Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All provisional positive samples are washed before confirmation, as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is thoroughly reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to cheat, increasing the reliability of the results.
• Reveals historical usage: Offers a timeline of drug use over time, not just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair samples.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are typically more expensive in comparison to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as the color of hair and individual growth patterns can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While the test is often called a "hair follicle test", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Castle Rock, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair tests reveal substance use over a more extended period, ensuring comprehensive and accurate reporting.

Extended Detection Window

One of the distinguishing features of hair follicle testing in Castle Rock, WI, is its extended detection window. By analyzing approximately 1.5 to 2 inches of hair, employers can gain insights into an individual's substance use history, extending up to 90 days, providing a thorough overview that urine tests cannot match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle examinations in Castle Rock, WI, are renowned for being a tamper-resistant testing method. By requiring direct observation during the sample collection, this test significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, resulting in highly reliable outcomes that maintain the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Castle Rock, WI, Accredited Drug Testing's convenient nationwide locations ensure seamless access to drug testing services. Our strategically located centers provide swift and hassle-free assessments, making it easy for individuals and businesses to receive the required services promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

The simple and confidential process offered in Castle Rock, WI, ensures privacy and ease for individuals undergoing hair follicle testing. From ordering to receiving results, every step is handled with discretion, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and streamlining the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Castle Rock, WI, stands out with its affordable pricing and fast results. By offering competitive rates and efficient service, we provide exceptional value to businesses of all sizes while ensuring quick resolution of drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Castle Rock, WI, are praised for their prompt and accurate results. The technological advancements in analysis ensure high precision in detecting substance use. This method allows for quick turnaround times, offering reliable outcomes that aid in timely decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers seeking compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Castle Rock, WI, turn to hair follicle testing for peace of mind. This assessment method aligns with legal standards, reducing potential risks and promoting a safe working environment, supporting employer efforts to foster a productive and secure atmosphere.

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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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