Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kellner, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures extended histories of alcohol and other substances by securing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal usage for about a 90-day duration for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

An ideal sample consists of a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp, providing 100mg of hair for optimal screening and confirmation. For EtG, extensions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. The term "head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair only. "Body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Procedure Summary

Laboratory processing in drug testing involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step, involving the integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples, any positive screening results must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

For samples showing presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower levels than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening presents a significant challenge methodologically.

Confirmation of any positive screening result employs techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests detect drug use over a shorter timeframe.
• Difficult to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring greater accuracy in results.
• Historical tracking: It offers a record of drug use over time, not restricted to recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Ineffective for recent detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the analysis evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Kellner, WI, hair follicle testing distinctly surpasses traditional urine tests. Its superior detection accuracy offers reliable results that urine tests can't match. Unlike urine tests, hair specimens reveal a longer drug use history, providing a more comprehensive overview, enhancing the trustworthiness of outcomes for employers.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Kellner, WI, grants insight into drug use over 90 days. This expansive period paints a broader picture of an individual's substance history, aiding employers in making informed decisions about potential hires or maintaining workplace integrity with current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Kellner, WI, offer a tamper-resistant approach to substance screening. By significantly reducing sample adulteration risks, these tests yield unquestionable results. Their design ensures the integrity and reliability of test outcomes, which is essential for workplaces with strict drug policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Kellner, WI, boasts convenient access to hair follicle testing through nationwide and local centers. This widespread network ensures customers can quickly engage with our services, making the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible. Accessibility is key to our client satisfaction and efficient testing measures.

Simple, Confidential Process

The simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing in Kellner, WI, alleviates concerns of privacy. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed for ease of use, providing rapid, secure handling of personal information and ensuring a smooth experience for all involved parties.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Kellner, WI, hair follicle tests offer affordable pricing paired with fast turnaround. Our competitive rates provide significant value, accommodating companies of all sizes. Combining affordability with rapid service ensures businesses achieve reliable results without unnecessary expenditure.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Kellner, WI, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their precision and speed. These tests provide highly accurate detections of substance use, ensuring swift and reliable results for both employers and individuals. Their impeccable accuracy in detecting substances makes them a trusted method for those seeking dependable testing solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Kellner, WI, brings peace of mind and compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and heightened workplace safety. Adopting these methods ensures adherence to best practices, enhancing corporate reputation and maintaining employee trust.

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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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