Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hughes, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a potent method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The hair offers an extended timeline of substance exposure by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. Collected near the scalp, hair can reflect up to a roughly three-month span for detecting alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to collect, tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for detection and verification purposes. For EtG analyses, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. A jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair not be present, a comparable amount of body hair is permissible. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the first phase, integrating a sample within a laboratory’s database. It involves affirming the sample’s sealing and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody arrangement.

Screening entails a preliminary swift assessment for substances of misuse. Screening serves as an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, yet any positive screening must be validated to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples preliminarily positive in the Screening require a follow-up verification.

When a sample exhibits a presumptive positive outcome during the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are separated from hair at a substantially diminished concentration compared to other procedures (e.g. urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug analysis the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug usage over a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a limited detection range.
• Challenging to falsify: Manipulating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result precision.
• Reveals usage history: It outlines a pattern of substance use across an interval, beyond recent exposure.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Hair requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable within it.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternate methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair coloration and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often dubbed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand above the scalp, not the follicle underneath.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Hughes, WI

In the arena of drug testing, hair follicle tests hold a superior position when compared to the traditional urine tests. The extended detection window and accuracy of hair testing allows for a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history. With a longer reachback period and resistance to manipulation, hair testing is the go-to method for reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window for Comprehensive Substance History in Hughes, WI

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, surpassing the reach of several other test types. Employers get a comprehensive overview of an employee's or applicant's past three months of substance use. This extended period enables better-informed decisions and fosters a healthier workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Hughes, WI

Hair follicle tests are notably more tamper-resistant than other methods, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This reliability ensures that the obtained results are unquestionable, providing peace of mind for those utilizing this method for crucial employment, legal, or personal reasons.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient and Accessible Testing Locations in Hughes, WI

Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers ensures that accessing testing services is quick and straightforward. Whether local to Hughes or beyond, our facilities provide hassle-free access to essential testing whenever it's needed, combining convenience with reliability for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Testing Processes in Hughes, WI

The process of ordering, undergoing, and obtaining results from hair follicle testing is designed for ease and confidentiality. We address privacy concerns meticulously, ensuring that every step, from initiation to result delivery, remains straightforward and discrete for the user.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Swift Turnaround in Hughes, WI

We offer competitive pricing structures coupled with rapid result processing to provide exceptional value. Our efficient and cost-effective solutions cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring that critical testing remains both accessible and budget-friendly for every client.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Experience Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Testing Results in Hughes, WI

Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and swiftness in identifying substance use. This method ensures highly accurate detection, minimizing false results and providing dependability for individuals and employers alike. The reliability of hair testing makes it a trusted resource for ensuring workplace safety and compliance in drug-free environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Enhancing Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hughes, WI

Employers can maintain drug-free work environments with greater assurance by utilizing hair follicle tests. This method aids in compliance with workplace drug policies, minimizing legal liabilities and enhancing overall workplace safety. The assurance of comprehensive detection instills confidence in maintaining a safe and productive workplace.

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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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