Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kildare, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is acknowledged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in its fibers as strands grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use over roughly a 3-month span. It is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch piece consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg, regarded as the perfect sample size for proper screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests or testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It’s recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, the equivalent amount of body hair can be acquired. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" includes all other hair forms (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for analyzing a drug test in a laboratory involves four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage in which a specimen enters the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary check for substances of abuse. Although it is a cost-effective strategy for dismissing drug presence in most samples, a positive result from Screening mandates confirmation to be legally admissible. Any samples testing positive in Screening necessitate follow-up confirmation.

In instances of presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations than seen in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is a challenging procedure.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The entire procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review as per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines alongside accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Tracks historical usage: This method can exhibit a pattern of substance use over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Not effective for recent consumption: It generally takes 5-7 days before drugs are detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Although often identified as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle located underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Kildare, WI
When comparing the benefits of hair follicle and urine tests, the hair test provides unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. Hair follicle tests in Kildare, WI, identify drugs much longer than traditional urine tests, showcasing a major advantage for employers demanding zero-drug tolerance.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Kildare, WI
Hair follicle testing offers an extended window for detecting drug use. In Kildare, WI, this method provides insights into substance use over the past 90 days, offering a sprawling view of an individual's drug history. Employers thus gain a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kildare, WI
The hair follicle test, especially recognized in Kildare, WI, is a robust deterrent against tampering. Its design discourages adulteration, ensuring the delivery of reliable, unassailable results. This bolsters trust in the outcomes obtained from the analysis.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Kildare, WI
Accredited Drug Testing boasts strategic nationwide centers, ensuring that Kildare, WI, experiences seamless access to testing services. Convenience is at the forefront, promising easy, quick, and hassle-free experiences to serve local communities effectively.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Kildare, WI
Ordering, undergoing, and receiving results through hair follicle testing in Kildare, WI, promises simplicity and confidentiality. This straightforward process prioritizes privacy, making it user-friendly and ensuring concerns about discretion are addressed, maintaining a focus on client ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kildare, WI
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround time bring exceptional value for businesses in Kildare, WI, regardless of their size. Combining affordability with rapid service, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind and excellent cost-effectiveness to all enterprises.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Kildare, WI
In Kildare, WI, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing set it apart. Known for their high accuracy, these tests offer rapid detection of substance use, enabling decisions to be made with confidence. Compared to conventional methods, hair testing not only offers speed but also ensures dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kildare, WI
Employers in Kildare, WI, leaning on hair follicle testing, find reassurance in its alignment with drug-free workplace policies. This minimizes legal risks while promoting safety. Such a strategy ensures compliance and fosters a secure work environment.

Drug Testing Near Kildare, WI

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Lyndon Station, WI

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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