Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hawthorne, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair can chronicle a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. Samples taken directly from the scalp can offer a detection period of up to three months for substances like alcohol and drugs. This method is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

Acquiring a hair sample of 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 hair strands and resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil, results in 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG enhancements and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair. Should scalp hair be lacking, a proportional amount of body hair can be used. Head hair specifies scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases in processing a laboratory drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about initially incorporating a sample into a laboratory’s workflow. This phase confirms that the sample is appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary review for drug substances. Although Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug consumption in most cases, a positive finding must be validated to be used judicially. Any sample that appears positive during Screening mandates additional verification.

When a sample is flagged as positive in Screening, extra hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this process, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis among the most complex methods.

Verification of positive Screening outcomes involves the use of GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo cleaning before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory journey from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which cover a shorter timespan.
• Hard to deceive: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Historical usage pattern: Hair tests can showcase drug use trends over a stretch of time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are costlier than other testing alternatives.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences can impact the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hawthorne, WI, hair follicle testing is recognized for its superior accuracy over traditional urine tests. While urine tests are common, hair tests offer enhanced detection capacity and reliability. Employers prefer hair tests to maintain comprehensive drug-free policies, highlighting the limitations of urine tests that miss long-term substance use detection, establishing hair testing as the superior choice.

Extended Detection Window

The vast detection window of hair follicle testing, spanning 90 days, is unmatched in Hawthorne, WI. Employers gain valuable insights into the screen of potential candidates and current employees by assessing a more extended drug use history. This comprehensive perspective enlightens employers about substance habits, creating a safer, more informed workforce environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing provides Hawthorne, WI, with a truly tamper-proof drug testing solution. Since samples are difficult to alter compared to other methods, results are more reliable. The integrity of the test is further assured by the secure nature of the specimen collection. Employers can be confident that the results accurately reflect an individual's substance use history, reducing the risk of dishonest results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Hawthorne, WI, our extensive network of nationwide testing centers provides unmatched convenience. With numerous local locations, accessing testing services is quick and straightforward. The robust network facilitates ease of scheduling and sample submission, streamlining the entire testing process for clients, ensuring hassle-free service at any time.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Hawthorne, WI, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. This seamless approach starts from the moment of ordering, extends through the sample collection, and culminates in receiving results. Privacy is a priority during each phase, reassuring clients of both ease and discretion, making testing worry-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Hawthorne, WI, prides itself on competitive pricing for hair follicle tests, along with fast turnaround times. This approach ensures that companies of all sizes receive outstanding value without sacrificing quality. Affordable options combined with quick result delivery provide peace of mind and efficiency for all clientele.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Hawthorne, WI, are gaining popularity for their fast and accurate outcomes. They detect substance use with unparalleled precision that surpasses other methods. Employers and individuals trust this method, appreciating the swift yet thorough results it offers. The meticulous nature of the testing process ensures minimal errors, providing peace of mind and reliable solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hawthorne, WI, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with stringent drug-free policies. This testing form minimizes legal exposure and enhances workplace safety, granting peace of mind. Adhering to these protocols fortifies the work environment against risks, aligning with the goals of a healthy organizational culture and legal consistency.

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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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