Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hazel Green, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have gained recognition as a significant method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers into the hair strand's developing fibers. If cut close to the head, hair can indicate alcohol and drug presence for up to near a 3-month timeframe. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) near the head will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. In cases where scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When addressing head hair, we mean scalp hair strictly. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab handling of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the core handling of a specimen within a lab's framework. This incorporates checking that the specimen was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing extra data input not covered by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift evaluation for drug misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in the majority of cases, a positive outcome requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. All samples with a suspect positive in Screening need an additional confirmation.

If a specimen shows a suspect positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn out from hair at significantly lower levels than with other methods (such as urine or saliva), which is why hair drug assessment is among the most intricate to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any suspect positive specimens are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation has oversight under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended Detection Period: Hair drug evaluations can recognize drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine evaluations which have a briefer detection timeframe.
• High Resistance to Evasion: It is significantly challenging to evade a hair drug evaluation, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological Usage Information: It can furnish a drug use trend over a specific time span, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapacity for Recent Detection: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Outcome Variations: Elements such as hair hue and personal differences in hair growth can impact the presence of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test specifically examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests beat urine tests due to superior detection for extended periods in Hazel Green, WI. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing detects drug use over months, providing a broader view of the individual's history. This long window of detection helps employers make informed decisions when hiring or conducting workplace assessments.
The robustness of hair testing lies in its accuracy, offering dependable results that urine tests cannot match.

Extended Detection Window

In Hazel Green, WI, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing captures drug use for up to 90 days. This method provides employers with a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history, crucial for making informed employment decisions.
With its long detection span, hair testing surpasses conventional testing methods, offering a clear insight into drug usage patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test is a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration in Hazel Green, WI. This integrity ensures the reliability of the test results.
By minimizing the risk of alteration, hair tests deliver unquestionable outcomes, making them a trusted choice for employers requiring dependable drug testing solutions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations and local options in Hazel Green, WI, our services offer quick, easy, and hassle-free access. Whether in major cities or small locales, our network ensures every client is served efficiently.
The availability of numerous testing sites simplifies scheduling and reduces travel time, catering to diverse needs promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Hazel Green, WI is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use.
This user-friendly approach guarantees the confidentiality and convenience individuals and employers seek in drug testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Hazel Green, WI. Our competitive pricing structures bring excellent value to companies of all sizes.
The quick turnaround times coupled with cost-effective rates ensure organizations receive exceptional service and peace of mind without breaking their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and precise results in Hazel Green, WI are available with hair follicle drug testing. This method accelerates the detection of substance use, ensuring professionals and employers receive reliable and accurate information. The high level of accuracy offered by hair follicle tests significantly enhances the trust in the results.
The swift turnaround of hair follicle testing makes it a dependable choice for those seeking detailed and trustworthy reports.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Hazel Green, WI ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers. The method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, effectively reducing legal risks.
Enhancing workplace safety, hair follicle testing assures adherence to strict regulations, supporting a safer and compliant 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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