Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cylon, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. By encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a prolonged record of substance use. When collected near the scalp, it can present up to around a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to alter, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample for evaluations and confirmations. For EtG, add-on services, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning includes the starting phase of a sample's processing into a lab's system. This involves checking the correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive screening result must be verified to hold up in court. Samples indicated as presumptively positive in Screening require an additional confirmation.

Once a sample returns presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most challenging to conduct.

Verification of any positive screening result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It's extremely challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, thereby enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical perspective: It provides a timeline of drug usage over an extended period, rather than merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to find recent usage: It requires approximately 5-7 days for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analysis often costs more than other drug testing methods.
• Result inconsistencies: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can affect drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing surpass urine testing in Cylon, WI? Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy and reliability compared to conventional urine tests. They identify drugs consumed over a longer duration, providing a robust method for employers to maintain a drug-free workplace. This superior detection makes hair testing the preferred choice for many.

Extended Detection Window

In Cylon, WI, the extended detection period of hair follicle tests is a distinct advantage. Capable of revealing drug use up to 90 days prior, these tests deliver an exhaustive view of an individual's substance usage history, assisting employers in making informed decisions about new hires and current employees alike.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Cylon, WI, reduces the likelihood of falsified results. Due to the scrutiny in collection and analysis, these tests offer reliable and unequivocal outcomes, ensuring authenticity and minimizing the possibility of manipulation or cheating.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Experience convenience in Cylon, WI, with our nationwide testing locations. Our widespread facilities guarantee quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services, ensuring that testing needs are fulfilled expediently and efficiently, without geographical constraints.

Simple, Confidential Process

The uncomplicated and confidential process offered in Cylon, WI ensures ease and privacy when ordering hair follicle tests. Concerned about confidentiality? Our procedure guarantees discreet handling, from test initiation to result retrieval, catering to personal privacy needs seamlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Take advantage of affordable pricing and swift turnaround times in Cylon, WI. Our competitive cost structure and rapid results provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes, delivering peace of mind without compromising on quality or budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cylon, WI, hair follicle drug tests ensure rapid, accurate, and trustworthy findings. These tests are celebrated for their precision and quick processing time, detecting a broad spectrum of substances efficiently. Their superior accuracy makes them an invaluable tool for organizations aiming to enforce substance-free policies smoothly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Cylon, WI provides employers with compliance and peace of mind. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, these tests decrease legal risks and heighten workplace safety, fostering an environment of trust and responsibility.

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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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