Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Franksville, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This approach offers an extensive history of substance use due to the capture of biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can reveal substance presence over a period of up to three months. The method of collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 strands, roughly equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil, yields 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and confirmatory procedures. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's best to assess the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be obtained. Here, "head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a laboratory drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample undergoes initial processing into the lab's system. This step verifies that the sample is correctly sealed and delivered, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any necessary data entries not covered by an electronic custody system.

Screening serves as an initial evaluation for substance abuse. While this step is an economical method to discount drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be considered valid in legal contexts. Any presumptively positive Screening samples necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted and prepared for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair in concentrations significantly lower than other methods, such as urine or oral fluid testing, making hair analysis particularly challenging to perform.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. Presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation if needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use over up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a briefer detection span.
• Difficult to evade: Evading a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronicles use patterns: It documents a timeline of drug usage, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Detectability of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests incur higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth can impact drug metabolite levels.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the actual examination is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Franksville, WI revolves around superior detection and reliability. Hair tests surpass traditional urine methods in accurate drug tracing.

• Longer detection window over 90 days.
• Nearly impossible to cheat, ensuring genuine results.
• Provides comprehensive insights into ongoing or past drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Long Detection Window makes hair follicle testing a prime choice in Franksville, WI. While urine tests offer a shorter timeframe, hair sampling extends up to 90 days, offering a detailed look into an individual's substance history.

• Employers can better assess ongoing drug habits.
• Provides a clearer picture of applicant behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing is pivotal for reliable results in Franksville, WI. Hair follicle tests significantly decrease the chances of sample tampering.

• Ensures that the collected sample is authentic.
• Provides unquestionable results for peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Franksville, WI ensure a hassle-free experience. Our extensive network of centers provides easily accessible testing services.

• Nationwide facilities available.
• Say goodbye to lengthy wait times.
• Quick and seamless access to professionals.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Process is key in Franksville, WI.

• Ordering is straightforward.
• Takes the stress out of testing with private procedures.
• Receive results securely and efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Quick Turnaround are critical for businesses in Franksville, WI.

• Competitive rates ensure excellent value.
• Solutions fit for enterprises of all sizes.
• Rapid processing times that don't compromise on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results are essential for drug testing in Franksville, WI. Hair follicle testing leads the way with its high precision and reliability in detecting substance use.

• Quick results that organizations can count on.
• Accurate outcomes that reflect substance use over a longer period.
• Reliable detection, minimizing false negatives and positives.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employer Compliance and Peace of Mind are enhanced with hair follicle testing in Franksville, WI.

• Ensures conformity with workplace drug policies.
• Minimizes legal risks.
• Improves the safety and well-being of the 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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