Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Custer, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to ship.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is recommended. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages involved in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a lab's system. This involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under 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 identify substance use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection time frame.
• Hard to manipulate: It is highly challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Delivers historical insights: It can highlight a pattern of substance use over an extended timeframe, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically are costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Custer, WI

The debate between hair follicle and urine testing intensifies in Custer, WI, as more value the benefits of hair tests. Extended Detection, higher reliability, and superior accuracy make hair testing stand out. Employers seeking assurance in test results prefer hair testing due to its longer and more detailed detection capability compared to traditional urine methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Custer, WI

One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in Custer, WI, is its long detection window. This method can trace drug use for up to 90 days, offering employers ample information about an individual's history. Such an extended timeframe provides a full perspective on substance habits, offering valuable insights for employers needing comprehensive overviews of employee behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Custer, WI

Hair follicle tests in Custer, WI, effectively address sample tampering issues. Their resistance to adulteration is a noteworthy advantage, providing results that employers can trust unconditionally. Unlike other testing methods, the integrity of the hair sample remains intact, ensuring that the results are both reliable and beyond reproach.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Custer, WI

Accredited Drug Testing offers a vast network of testing centers, making it convenient for residents in Custer, WI. Nationwide locations ensure quick and easy access to necessary testing services. This extensive availability reduces hassle, allowing individuals and companies to manage testing needs effortlessly with guaranteed efficiency and accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Custer, WI

The process in Custer, WI, for hair follicle testing is as simple as it is confidential. The streamlined procedures ensure privacy from ordering to receiving results. This emphasis on confidentiality addresses concerns regarding privacy, emphasizing both ease of process and the careful handling of personal information throughout the testing timeline.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Custer, WI

With competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, hair follicle testing in Custer, WI, offers remarkable value. Efficient processing times combined with cost-effective structures assure companies of all sizes the benefits of comprehensive testing without budget strains, delivering peace of mind at a significantly reduced expenditure.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Custer, WI

In Custer, WI, precision and speed are at the forefront of hair follicle drug testing. Accuracy in detecting substances is unmatched, delivering consistent results instantly. This reliability helps employers make confident decisions quickly. The exceptional accuracy dramatically enhances the screening process, ensuring clarity in detecting substance use efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Custer, WI

For employers in Custer, WI, adopting hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free policies. Such measures reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety by providing peace of mind. Employers can trust these tests to maintain a secure and compliant environment, a crucial aspect for companies dedicated to maintaining drug-free workplaces.

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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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