Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kinnickinnic, WI

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can provide an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair samples can offer an approximate 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands (close to the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplemental analyses, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equal volume of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab system. This entails ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped accurately, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing missing data entry that wasn't provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective method for negating drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

In the event that a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than in other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a particularly challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can offer a progression pattern of drug usage over time, not just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to detect recent usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Kinnickinnic, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests with its unmatched accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can be fooled, hair tests boast a more extensive detection ability. With a focus on providing a true picture of an individual's drug use, hair testing is preferred for its superior efficacy.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Kinnickinnic, WI offers an Extended Detection Window, revealing drug use history for up to 90 days. This extended period provides a detailed view of an individual's substance history, ideal for employers seeking long-term patterns rather than relying on short-term urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The Tamper-Resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Kinnickinnic, WI drastically minimizes the risk of adulteration. Due to the inherent characteristics of hair testing, results remain reliable and beyond dispute. This prevents dishonest practices that may occur in other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of Nationwide Testing Locations with our services in Kinnickinnic, WI. Our widespread centers ensure quick and hassle-free access. As part of our commitment, we make testing accessible nationwide, delivering efficient solutions right where you need them.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Kinnickinnic, WI is Simple and Confidential, making ordering and taking tests stress-free. We prioritize privacy throughout the test journey, from the initial order to result delivery. This commitment addresses any concerns related to your privacy and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Discover our Affordable Pricing in Kinnickinnic, WI paired with fast turnaround times. We offer competitive rates across various tests, ensuring value for money and prompt results for businesses of every size. This dual promise makes us a preferred choice for many organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable are the defining attributes of hair follicle drug testing in Kinnickinnic, WI. Its precision in detecting substance use outshines other methods. Modern hair tests excel in speed and accuracy, ensuring prompt and trustworthy results. This allows employers to make informed decisions quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By choosing hair follicle testing in Kinnickinnic, WI, employers ensure Compliance and Peace of Mind. This ensures adherence to drug-free policies, thereby mitigating legal risks and promoting workplace safety. The accuracy and extended detection of hair testing play a pivotal role in preserving these standards.

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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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