Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Elmwood, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are increasingly considered an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to alter, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample size for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and those beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. In our context, head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test consists of four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where a sample is processed into a lab's system. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not automated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. It is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, but any positive results from Screening must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Any samples suspected to be positive in Screening necessitate a further confirmation.

Should a sample be presumed positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than alternative methods (like urine or oral fluids), which makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Any positive screening outcome is verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumably positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standards set by ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a narrower detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, which increases the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can exhibit drug use tendencies over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can affect the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Elmwood, WI
Hair follicle testing offers multiple advantages over urine tests, ensuring superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can only capture recent use, hair tests provide a detailed 90-day overview of substance consumption. This makes hair testing ideal for discerning employers and organizations within and around Elmwood.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Elmwood, WI
Hair follicle testing excels in providing an extended detection window, tracking up to 90 days of drug use. This allows employers in Elmwood a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, aiding in informed decision-making processes. The longer assessment period is a key benefit of choosing this testing method.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Elmwood, WI
Hair follicle drug tests significantly reduce the likelihood of sample tampering, delivering trustworthy results for Elmwood's employers and individuals. The process is designed to be nearly impermeable to false negatives, presenting a clear and reliable assessment of a person's drug history without the risks associated with traditional testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Elmwood, WI
With a network of easily accessible testing centers across the nation and local facilities in Elmwood, WI, we provide hassle-free and prompt access to testing services. Our comprehensive reach ensures readiness at our centers, emphasizing convenience for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Elmwood, WI
Our testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to testing and obtaining results, each step ensures privacy and ease of use. Elmwood residents can have peace of mind knowing their involvement remains discreet and user-friendly throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Elmwood, WI
Elmwood companies benefit from our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. We offer great value and ensure timely results, catering to businesses of all sizes. Partner with us for economic options without compromising quality or effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Elmwood, WI
The precision and speed of hair follicle testing ensure swift and dependable results in Elmwood, WI. With high accuracy, these tests expertly detect substance use, bringing reassurance to both employers and those tested. Experience efficiency that rivals traditional methods when you choose hair testing in our community.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Elmwood, WI
Incorporating hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace policies and prioritizes legal safety. Employers across Elmwood can maintain drug-free environments with confidence, knowing that these tests provide thorough oversight and mitigate potential liabilities.

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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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