Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dresser, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history of alcohol use and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair offers up to an estimated 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch snippet consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's size) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is ideal. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. Note, when referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in the lab processing of a drug testing result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the sample's integration into a lab system. This step involves verifying that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid evaluation for drug abuse. While Screening is an economical method to screen out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Those samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require another level of confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening stage, more hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples receive washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can indicate drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: It's exceedingly difficult to deceive a hair drug test, thereby improving the accuracy of outcomes.
• Offers historical data: It can reveal drug use patterns over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine testing, the benefits of hair testing stand out. In Dresser, WI, hair tests surpass traditional urine tests by offering superior detection capabilities and reliability. Hair testing's extended detection window and resistance to tampering make it an invaluable tool for enterprises trying to ensure a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing's extended detection window is a significant advantage. In Dresser, WI, this method caters to employers seeking a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history. With the capability to track drug use up to 90 days prior, businesses gain deeper insights into behavior patterns, making informed decisions easier.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

For those in Dresser, WI seeking reliable drug testing methods, hair follicle testing offers an unmatched tamper-resistant solution. Its methodology significantly reduces sample adulteration risks, delivering trustworthy and unquestionable results. This security reassures employers and legal authorities alike, ensuring integrity in testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local testing centers, accessing hair follicle drug testing in Dresser, WI, is straightforward. The wide availability of testing locations ensures individuals and employers enjoy hassle-free access to high-quality testing services. This extensive network makes compliance and safety more accessible for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for engaging in hair follicle drug testing in Dresser, WI, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step ensures privacy and ease of use. This transparent and secure system builds trust, addressing concerns related to confidentiality and process simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and rapid results, hair follicle drug testing in Dresser, WI, provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Competitive pricing structures coupled with fast turnaround times assure companies that they are receiving maximum benefit, both economically and in terms of valuable information retention.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Specializing in precision, hair follicle drug testing in Dresser, WI, ensures fast and accurate results. These tests are renowned for their ability to precisely detect substance use, offering individuals and employers peace of mind. The methodology provides swift, thorough insights, essential for maintaining safety and compliance in various settings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing provides employers in Dresser, WI, with compliance and peace of mind. This testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. The secure methodical approach reassures business owners, creating a supportive and safe work environment.

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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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