Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Courtland, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair shaft. Collected from the scalp area, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to obtain, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample encompassing roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair comprises all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning includes the initial sample processing into a lab’s system. It involves confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial check for the presence of drugs of abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be viable in legal settings. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening among the most complex methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not on the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Courtland, WI, hair follicle testing has distinct advantages over urine testing. Its ability to detect drugs over a more extended period ensures better accuracy and dependability.

While traditional urine tests are frequently employed, hair tests provide superior detection capabilities, making them invaluable for maintaining zero-tolerance policies and supporting comprehensive evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, making it a preferred choice for employers in Courtland, WI seeking a thorough assessment of substance use history.

Unlike other tests, hair follicle testing can track drug use up to 90 days back, providing a detailed understanding of past substance interactions for employers to make informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One notable advantage of hair follicle testing in Courtland, WI is its tamper-resistant nature. The testing method significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, guaranteeing the integrity of results.

For organizations that require unquestionably reliable outcomes, hair testing offers assurance by minimizing the risk of sample manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With accessible testing sites across the nation and locally in Courtland, WI, Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient and efficient services.

These widely distributed locations not only simplify the testing process but also deliver quick solutions, ensuring employees and individuals can easily access testing services without hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle drug testing procedure in Courtland, WI is both simple and confidential, designed to respect individuals' privacy.

From ordering a test to obtaining results, the process ensures ease of use, addressing privacy concerns and delivering a streamlined user experience for clients and employees alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Courtland, WI highlights competitive pricing and prompt service delivery, offering significant value to businesses of all sizes.

Organizations can depend on rapid turnaround times and cost-effective packages, ensuring they receive quality service that meets financial and scheduling needs effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The demand for hair follicle drug testing in Courtland, WI is primarily due to its fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method stands out due to its high precision in detecting substance abuse, ensuring that employers get trustworthy data.

A swift turnaround time is a notable feature of hair follicle tests, making them an ideal choice for organizations that require timely insights into an individual's drug use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Courtland, WI can benefit greatly from hair follicle testing, which aids in complying with workplace drug-free policies. By adopting this method, companies can mitigate legal risks and fortify safety efforts.

For businesses focusing on maintaining a secure environment, hair testing ensures peace of mind by aligning with stringent compliance requirements.

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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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