Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Koshkonong, WI

What it is, How it works

Seen as a robust method, hair testing is instrumental for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands store historical data by trapping biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to three months for both alcohol and other substances. Hair samples are easy to obtain, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil), provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and validation. For EtG enhancements and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a matching amount of body hair is an appropriate alternative. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning initiates the handling of the sample within the lab's infrastructure. This phase includes ensuring the sample's seal and correct shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data missing from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails a prompt assessment for drugs of abuse. It is a cost-efficient technique to dismiss drug involvement for most samples; however, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation to become legally viable. Samples that are tentative positives in Screening require a subsequent confirmation phase.

A presumptive positive during Screening involves extracting more hair from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at lower concentrations than alternatives (like urine or saliva), making hair drug screening a particularly complex process.

Positive results from screenings are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples undergo cleaning before confirmation as necessary. The full procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can detect drugs up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection times.
• Hard to manipulate: It's significantly challenging to falsify results, ensuring higher accuracy.
• Shows usage patterns: It provides an overview of substance use over months, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapacity to detect new usage: Drugs become traceable in hair around 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair tests usually cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer because the analysis focuses on the hair strands, not the scalp-embedded follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Koshkonong, WI
When comparing the benefits of hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests, it becomes evident that hair tests provide superior accuracy and reliability. In Koshkonong, WI, the choice for hair testing allows detection over more extended periods, offering a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, which urine tests fail to do.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Koshkonong, WI
Hair follicle testing offers a more extended detection window, capable of identifying drug usage up to 90 days prior. This is invaluable for employers in Koshkonong, WI, seeking a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's drug history, providing insights that urine tests, with their shorter detection span, cannot match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Koshkonong, WI
In Koshkonong, WI, hair follicle testing greatly reduces the likelihood of sample tampering, resulting in trustworthy outcomes. The robust nature of this testing ensures that results are credible and beyond dispute, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process against potential adulteration attempts.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Koshkonong, WI
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to numerous testing centers nationwide, including in Koshkonong, WI. This ensures quick and hassle-free testing services, making it easy for individuals to partake in the hair testing process without undue stress or logistical challenges.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Koshkonong, WI
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair test results in Koshkonong, WI, is straightforward and confidential. Concerns about privacy are addressed, ensuring that individuals can engage with the testing confidently, with the assurance that their information remains protected.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Koshkonong, WI
In Koshkonong, WI, hair follicle drug testing is offered at competitive prices, coupled with fast turnaround times. This combination provides excellent value for companies of all sizes, ensuring that they are not only receiving high-quality testing but also peace of mind regarding their budgeting and operational timelines.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Koshkonong, WI
Hair follicle testing offers unparalleled precision and speed when it comes to drug detection. In Koshkonong, WI, this method stands out for its ability to accurately uncover substance use, providing dependable results swiftly. The high level of accuracy ensures that the employment or legal decisions made based on these results are informed and just.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Koshkonong, WI
By utilizing hair follicle testing in Koshkonong, WI, employers can confidently maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks and bolsters workplace safety, providing employers with reassurance and a strong foundation for maintaining a healthy working environment.

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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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