Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hewitt, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is becoming recognized as an essential method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a prolonged record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair may offer a detection period of up to around 90 days for both alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, additional checks, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If head hair is not available, a similar volume of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it pertains only to the scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps in processing a sample for a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially handling a sample into a lab’s database. This process verifies that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any pending data entry not completed via an electronic chain of custody procedure.

Screening offers an initial rapid evaluation for drug usage. Although Screening serves as an economical way to negate drug use for most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal acceptability. Any samples with a potential positive in Screening require an additional confirmation process.

If the Screening phase indicates a possible positive result, additional hair is retrieved from the primary sample and set for Extraction. In this phase, substances are eliminated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening among the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive findings from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples considered positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes validation under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug exams can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are very difficult to falsify, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Reveals historical usage: Such tests provide a record of drug consumption patterns over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Commonly mistaken as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hewitt, WI, hair follicle tests surpass urine tests by offering better detection accuracy and reliability. Hair analysis divulges substance consumption patterns over months as opposed to mere days. This extended detection timeframe is invaluable for employers requiring comprehensive overviews before decision-making, ensuring policies against drug use are strictly followed.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Hewitt, WI, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, as it scrutinizes drug use up to 90 days back. This testing method allows businesses to achieve an exhaustive understanding of an individual’s substance history. It fosters decision-making grounded on extensive data rather than recent, potential biasing activities, aiding in evaluating an applicant's long-term drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Hewitt, WI, significantly mitigates the risk of sample adulteration. The methodology's inherent resistance to tampering provides employers with genuine, uncontendable results. Adulteration that often plagues urine tests is virtually eradicated, ensuring a transparent reflection of drug use, thus reinforcing workplace integrity and safety.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our Hewitt, WI, center is part of a vast network of testing locations across the nation. This network ensures clients experience seamless access to testing services. Word-class facilities promise a hassle-free testing experience, without the inconvenience of distant travel, promoting ease of access for the community at large.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hewitt, WI, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Each step—from booking to receiving results—is crafted to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. Clear instructions and secure methods safeguard clients' information, instilling confidence throughout the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Hewitt, WI, boasts competitive pricing, ensuring affordability without compromising quality. Clients experience quick turnaround times, benefiting both individuals and companies. This swift, economical service reassures companies of all sizes, proving a sound investment in maintaining workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests are favored in Hewitt, WI, due to their impeccable precision and swift results. Their accuracy stands unmatched, providing a clear depiction of substance use through detailed analysis. These tests ensure dependable outcomes that aid various institutions in upholding their drug-free criteria without compromising on result timing or reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hewitt, WI, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, aligning them with drug-free workplace mandates. This compliance reduces legal risks and fosters a safe working environment. The proactive approach reinforces safety standards, ensuring policies are not only set but truly integrated into the workplace culture.

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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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