Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eau Galle, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures long-term indicators of substances like alcohol in the strands of hair as they grow. When hair is obtained near the scalp, it can reflect up to a 3-month timeframe of drug and alcohol use. Collecting hair is easy, tampering with it is relatively hard, and shipping is straightforward.

An approximately 1.5-inch section containing around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a standard #2 pencil) is needed to acquire 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation processes. For tests such as EtG enhancements and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. In scenarios where scalp hair is inaccessible, equivalent body hair may be gathered. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair refers to all other types (like facial hair and underarm hair).

Process Overview

The key phases in the laboratory processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, allocates a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any extra data entry the electronic chain of custody system does not cover.

Screening offers a preliminary, swift examination for substance misuse. While Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug use on most samples, a non-negative screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples indicated as possibly positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample test as possibly positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at lower levels than with other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing notably challenging to execute.

Verification of any non-negative screening outcome is achieved through methodologies such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positive results are cleaned before confirmation as required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug testing can reveal substance use for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Manipulating a hair drug test is very challenging, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Provides historical data: This method can convey a timeline of drug use over months, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5 to 7 days.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug testing is pricier than other testing methods.
• Variations in results: Drug metabolite levels in hair can vary due to factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test itself focuses on the hair strand, not the hair follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eau Galle, WI
When choosing between hair follicle and urine drug testing, the benefits of the former are clear in Eau Galle, WI. Not only does hair testing provide a longer detection window, but it also offers increased accuracy and reliability compared to the traditional urine methods, supporting enhanced drug use assessments.

Hair testing is less likely to be fooled by attempts at tampering, ensuring that the results are more credible.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eau Galle, WI
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing is a significant advantage for employers in Eau Galle, WI. Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days back, offering a detailed view of an individual’s substance use history.

This capability ensures that employers can make informed decisions based on a comprehensive analysis of an applicant or employee's long-term drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eau Galle, WI
Hair follicle tests stand out for their tamper-resistant qualities, significantly minimizing the potential for adulteration. In Eau Galle, WI, employers gain confidence in reliable and unquestionable outcomes, ensuring integrity in the drug testing process.

The natural structure of hair provides a safeguard against sample manipulation, securing credible results from the testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eau Galle, WI
Eau Galle, WI benefits from the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing’s nationwide and local locations, promising swift and accessible drug testing services across the area.

These facilities are designed for hassle-free access, enabling employers and individuals to easily obtain necessary testing services without complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eau Galle, WI
In Eau Galle, WI, Accredited Drug Testing offers a straightforward and confidential process to order, take, and receive results, addressing privacy and ease of use effectively.

This process ensures that individual rights to privacy are preserved while maintaining ease and comfort throughout every stage of testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eau Galle, WI
Accredited Drug Testing in Eau Galle, WI, emphasizes affordable pricing models combined with fast turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for enterprises of all scales.

Companies benefit from competitive rates while receiving prompt results, enabling efficient decisions supported by economical testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eau Galle, WI
Hair follicle drug testing is celebrated for its precise and rapid results, providing an accurate assessment of substance use. In Eau Galle, WI, these tests deliver reliable information about long-term drug use, ensuring both speed and accuracy superior to other methods.

Employers trust hair follicle testing because of its exceptional ability to detect the presence of drugs or alcohol consistently and thoroughly. This method minimizes errors and enhances trust through accurate results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eau Galle, WI
Employers in Eau Galle, WI, gain peace of mind through the assurance of consistent compliance with drug-free workplace policies, enlivened by hair follicle testing which reduces legal risks and promotes safety.

These tests provide a dependable method to ensure that workplace environments remain safe and drug-free, supporting policy adherence and risk management.

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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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