Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Flambeau, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair follicle testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extended history of illicit substances and alcohol by capturing markers within the strand's fibrous structure as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair samples can reflect substance use histories spanning nearly three months. The collection process is straightforward, making it challenging to tamper with, and the samples can be transported easily.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken nearest the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is ideal for analysis during initial and confirmatory testing phases. For EtG, additional panels, and/or panels beyond 10 tests, collecting 150mg is advised. It’s wise to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, body hair in a similar quantity can be used. Our reference to head hair strictly indicates scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of drug testing results involves four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step where the sample is incorporated into the lab’s system. It involves verifying that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening represents the first phase of prompt drug abuse detection. While Screening offers a cost-effective means of dismissing drug usage in a majority of samples, confirming a positive test is required for it to be legally valid. Any sample yielding a presumptive positive requires a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly lesser concentrations than in alternatives like urine or oral fluid tests, which contributes to the complexity of hair drug analysis.

The Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is performed using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Preceding confirmation, all samples identified as presumptive positives are cleansed accordingly. The entire laboratory sequence, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use over a 90-day period, compared to urine analyses which offer a more limited timeframe.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating on a hair drug test is considerably harder, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Habitual data insight: These tests can unveil substance use trends over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Roughly 5-7 days are necessary for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally entail higher costs than other testing options.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair pigment and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the skin

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine testing in Flambeau, WI? Mainly, it offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike the traditional urine test, hair testing covers a longer detection period, helping employers maintain strict compliance with zero-tolerance policies effectively.

Extended Detection Window

In Flambeau, WI, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, tracing drug use for up to 90 days. This gives employers an all-encompassing perspective on an individual's substance history, aiding in informed decision-making when hiring or evaluating staff.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Flambeau, WI, feature a robust tamper-resistant method. By significantly lowering the possibility of sample tampering, these tests deliver results that are both reliable and unquestionable, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including Flambeau, WI, our testing centers offer quick, easy, and hassle-free access to services. This expansive network ensures clients receive necessary testing without delays or complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Flambeau, WI, ensures simplicity and confidentiality from ordering to result delivery. It addresses privacy concerns efficiently, focusing on user ease and discretion throughout the entire testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing structure and quick turnaround times in Flambeau, WI, make hair follicle testing affordable for businesses of all sizes. Clients enjoy excellent value, fast results, and peace of mind when utilizing our services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests in Flambeau, WI ensure fast, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method stands out for its exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use, providing a trustworthy solution for employers and institutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Flambeau, WI, gain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, companies reduce legal risks, enhance safety, and maintain a healthier work environment by promoting non-tolerance towards substance abuse.

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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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