Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fairwater, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is acknowledged as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug usage. Hair strands hold a chronological record of substance consumption by incorporating biomarkers into the growing fibers. Hair collected from the scalp area can reveal alcohol and drug use over up to about 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing approximately 200 strands (roughly the equivalent of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp can yield 100mg, the preferred quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it's advisable to gather 150mg. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. Scalp hair specifically refers to hair on the head, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (including facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial steps of recording a sample into a lab's system, ensuring the sample’s packaging and shipping were correctly executed, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic custody tracking system.

Screening is an initial quick check for drug misuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening necessitates verification to be legally valid. Presumptively positive samples in Screening need further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for further preparation in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration relative to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair testing technically challenging.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter window.
• Challenging to deceive: This difficulty enhances the accuracy of hair drug tests.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a timeline of drug use, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the examination actually assesses the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fairwater, WI
Hair tests offer superior detection and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. Notably, they capture a longer history of drug usage and are less susceptible to tampering.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Fairwater, WI
With an ability to identify drug usage up to 90 days, hair follicle tests provide a comprehensive view of substance history. Employers gain insights into extended drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fairwater, WI
Hair follicle testing mitigates the risk of sample manipulation, ensuring that the results remain reliable and authentic, enhancing trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Fairwater, WI
Our extensive network of testing sites provides convenient access to services, making it easy for individuals and businesses in Fairwater to undergo mandatory drug testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Fairwater, WI
The testing process is streamlined and discreet, from ordering to receiving results, ensuring privacy and minimizing hassle for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fairwater, WI
Enjoy competitive rates and quick deliverables, assuring clients of excellent value and swift service in all testing engagements.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fairwater, WI
Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision. It offers swift and reliable detection of substances, ensuring high accuracy for individuals and organizations in Fairwater.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fairwater, WI
Hair testing helps firms adhere to drug-free policies, minimizing legal issues and boosting workplace safety by screening potential drug use among employees.

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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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