Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edson, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. If obtained near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol usage for roughly up to three months. Hair samples are easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipment.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields 100mg, the recommended amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It's best to use a jeweler's scale for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair, while "body hair" covers other types such as facial and armpit hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning deals with the sample's initial integration into the lab's system. It verifies proper sealing and shipment, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic custody chain.

Screening involves a preliminary analysis for possible drug abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient means to discard drug usage in most cases, any positive findings must be confirmed for court validity. Samples that result in a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

For a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the sample for Extraction. This phase involves drug extraction from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug testing a challenging process to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screening leverages GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, presumptive positive samples may undergo washing when necessary. The process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days back, in contrast with shorter detection periods for urine tests.
• High resistance to tampering: The accuracy of hair drug tests is heightened by the difficulty in cheating them.
• Historical insight: Offers insight into patterns of drug usage over time, rather than just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Limited for recent use: Drugs only become detectable in hair after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than other testing forms.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair samples.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Edson, WI stands out against urine testing due to its longer detection window and accuracy. While urine tests only capture a brief timeframe, hair tests provide up to 90 days of reliable substance use data.

Employers find hair testing more efficient as it minimizes the risk of recent use evasion and is harder to manipulate, enhancing detection reliability and overall trust in processes.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing reaches beyond the scope of standard tests, offering up to a 90-day detection window. This extended timeframe presents a fuller picture of an individual's substance habits in Edson, WI.

Employers appreciate this longevity, facilitating informed hiring and ongoing monitoring, thereby maintaining their workplaces drug-free and compliant with policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The integrity of a hair follicle test is unmatched, providing tamper-resistant results that are difficult to adulterate. In Edson, WI, businesses rely on this robustness to uphold zero-tolerance policies without fear of deceit.

By minimizing manipulation risks, hair testing protects both the testing process and the resulting data, ensuring authentic and credible findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers across the nation, and in Edson, WI, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to services. This network allows prompt, hassle-free testing that accommodates busy schedules and diverse needs.

No matter where your business or job applicants are located, swift testing capabilities eliminate travel frustrations and provide reliable outcomes efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting hair follicle tests in Edson, WI is a straightforward process ensuring confidentiality. Beginning with an order, proceeding to a discreet sample collection, and ending with private results delivery, the process respects privacy concerns.

Clients enjoy ease of use, appreciating the security of their information at every stage, thus building trust with the testing service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing in Edson, WI, without compromising on rapid turnaround times. Meeting any organization's budget constraints, we deliver exceptional value.

The affordability combined with swift result delivery provides companies of all sizes with the assurance that they're getting both quality service and fiscal efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing offers unrivaled accuracy and speed in detecting substance use. With highly precise methodologies, results can be quickly and reliably obtained. Edson, WI employers benefit from this speedy testing, ensuring informed decision-making.

The sophistication of hair analysis ensures accurate identification of substances. This results in fewer mistakes and a solid verification of substance use or abstinence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Edson, WI find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, as it supports drug-free workplace initiatives. Compliance becomes more accessible, reducing legal risks and enhancing safety.

This testing method aligns well with stringent company policies, reassuring management of the workforce's adherence to drug-free commitments, thereby sustaining a secure 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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