Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lake Wazeecha, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers within their fibers, offering a prolonged overview of alcohol and drug usage. Hair samples obtained near the scalp can reveal a detection span of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch segment composed of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) gathered close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. When discussing head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Conducting a drug test result in a lab involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

The Accessioning phase is the initial step of integrating a sample into the laboratory's framework. It checks whether the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and resolves any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening is budget-friendly for dismissing drug use in most samples, any positive findings need confirmation for court validity. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require subsequent verification.

For presumptive positive results in Screening, extra hair is extracted from the original specimen and processed in the Extraction stage. Here, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. This entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests which have reduced detection periods.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Acts as historical record: It chart drug use trends over time, not merely recent episodes.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying near-term use: Drugs become apparent in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal variances in hair growth can influence concentrations of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", these exams evaluate the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Lake Wazeecha, WI, witnesses the superior merits of hair follicle drug testing compared to traditional urine tests. This testing method is hailed for its detection accuracy and reliability, making it the preferred choice over urine testing, which lacks similar comprehensive scrutiny.

Extended Detection Window

For employers in Lake Wazeecha, WI, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing provides an insightful view into an individual's substance use history. With a detection period extending up to 90 days, this testing method is unparalleled in offering an extensive overview of substance consumption habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests is a standout in Lake Wazeecha, WI. This method minimizes risks associated with sample adulteration, offering a reliable solution whose results are deemed unquestionable, especially when compared to other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Access to hair follicle testing in Lake Wazeecha, WI, is hassle-free, thanks to the widespread availability of our testing centers nationwide. This offers convenience and quick accessibility, facilitating a stress-free testing experience for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lake Wazeecha, WI, ordering and receiving hair follicle test results is a straightforward and confidential process. This simplicity in procedure ensures privacy and ease of use, addressing potential concerns over discretion and user-friendliness.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Lake Wazeecha, WI, make hair follicle testing accessible for businesses of all sizes. We offer exceptional value, combining affordability with the assurance of fast and reliable results, promoting peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lake Wazeecha, WI, hair follicle drug testing is recognized for its precision, offering fast and accurate results for substance detection. This method surpasses traditional tests with its advanced analytical techniques, ensuring high reliability and speed in providing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Lake Wazeecha, WI, empowers employers to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal liabilities and bolsters workplace safety, providing peace of mind with reliable and consistent testing practices.

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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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