Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lac Du Flambeau, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly valued as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history of substance use by trapping biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collecting hair near the scalp allows for a detection period of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair samples are easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (about as thick as a #2 pencil) from near the scalp will yield 100mg, which is optimal for testing. For tests like EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" signifies only scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes any other type (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step for processing a sample within a lab's system. This consists of verifying that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not done by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screen results must be confirmed to be legally acceptable. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

For samples that are presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Drugs are then extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screen is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive result are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• Low risk of cheating: It is significantly challenging to cheat a hair drug test, thereby ensuring more accurate results.
• Offers historical perspective: It can provide a timeline of drug use over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lac du Flambeau, WI:

• Hair testing outperforms urine methods, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability.
• With a longer detection period, it captures comprehensive substance use history that urine tests might miss.
• This makes it highly effective for organizations with stringent drug policies enforcement.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lac du Flambeau, WI:

• Hair follicle testing provides a detection window of up to 90 days, outstripping traditional methods.
• This prolonged window offers employers a broader view of an individual's drug use history.
• Such extended detection allows for more informed decision-making regarding hiring and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lac du Flambeau, WI:

• Hair follicle tests excel in reducing adulteration risks, delivering reliable results unfettered by sample tampering.
• The observed collection process ensures integrity and credibility of the test outcome.
• These qualities support trust in test results, serving organizational needs and compliance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lac du Flambeau, WI:

• Accredited Drug Testing provides nationwide centers for quick and easy accessibility.
• Convenient locations ensure hassle-free testing experiences for individuals and employers alike.
• Seamless accessibility streamlines the testing process, promoting efficiency and speed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lac du Flambeau, WI:

• Our process simplifies ordering, taking, and receiving results, ensuring privacy and ease-of-use.
• Confidential handling of tests reassures individuals and entities regarding their data security.
• Streamlined procedures make testing a straightforward experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lac du Flambeau, WI:

• Our competitive pricing is coupled with quick result times, providing remarkable value.
• This combination supports companies of all sizes in maintaining their budget without sacrificing quality.
• Fast turnarounds ensure timely access to results, vital for swift decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lac du Flambeau, WI:

• Hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its precision and rapid results, offering superior accuracy in detecting substance use.
• The method ensures timely reporting, vital for employers seeking dependable evaluations quickly.
• Coupling speed with precision, these tests provide confidence in screening processes for drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lac du Flambeau, WI:

• Utilizing hair follicle testing aids in upholding drug-free workplace policies.
• This method reduces legal liabilities, safeguarding employee welfare and safety.
• Employers gain assurance of compliance, enhancing organizational peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Lac Du Flambeau, WI

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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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