Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Heafford Junction, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into an effective instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a long-term account of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When clipped near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month timeframe for alcohol and drug detection. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses surpassing 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the lab processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning constitutes the initial handling of a sample into a lab's system. This process confirms the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples indicated as positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample is deemed positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a concentration notably lower than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as appropriate. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It is exceptionally challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Archives historical patterns: It reveals a drug use trajectory over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing the benefits of hair follicle testing against traditional urine tests in Heafford Junction, WI, the advantages become clear. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, uncovering drug use that urine tests might miss.

Hair follicle testing provides a longer detection window and is less prone to evasion tactics. This method provides a robust solution for employers and agencies who need dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Heafford Junction, WI, the ability to detect drug use over an extended period is unmatched. This method offers up to a 90-day detection window, providing a thorough view of substance use history.

This comprehensive detection period assists employers in evaluating an applicant or employee's past drug use, offering valuable insights into their habits and ensuring informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Heafford Junction, WI, hair follicle tests significantly limit the risk of tampering. The testing method is designed to resist sample adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and indisputable.

This tamper-resistant nature ensures the integrity of the testing process, offering accurate and trustworthy data for organizations and agencies that rely on these results for crucial decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience by offering nationwide and local testing locations in Heafford Junction, WI. With our extensive network, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free.

Our widespread presence means individuals and businesses can rely on easy access to testing centers, ensuring that the process is as seamless and efficient as possible.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results in Heafford Junction, WI, is designed to be simple and confidential. Our approach addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use.

Clients benefit from the discreet and straightforward nature of the process, receiving essential insights without compromising personal information or convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Heafford Junction, WI, our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing ensures affordability without compromising on quality. The fast turnaround times provide excellent value for companies.

Employers of all sizes benefit from the cost-effective nature of the tests and the speed at which results are delivered, providing assurance and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Heafford Junction, WI, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method excels in precision, offering high accuracy in detecting substance use. Hair follicle tests can swiftly detect drug presence, providing results that are trusted by employers and institutions.

The efficiency of hair follicle testing highlights its reliability. By specializing in this technology, Accredited Drug Testing ensures timely and dependable results, building confidence in its capability to identify substance use accurately.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Heafford Junction, WI assures employers of compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It minimizes legal risks and bolsters workplace safety, giving employers peace of mind.

Employers benefit from the accuracy and reliability provided by hair testing, maintaining a secure and compliant environment, thus enhancing overall productivity and safety.

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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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