Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Leland, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use up to around a 3-month period for alcohol and other drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, resists tampering, and is simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 strands of hair (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't an option, a similar amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" covers all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step entails ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry that hasn’t been addressed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective way to eliminate drug use in most samples, to be valid in legal contexts, a positive screen must be verified. Any samples catching a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

Should a sample reveal a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are utilized for confirming any positive screening result. All samples with presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection range.
• Hard to deceive: It is significantly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, resulting in more reliable findings.
• Historical data provision: It can display a drug use pattern over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It generally takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug testing methods.
• Variation in results: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug substances in the hair.

Note: Frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair testing to the traditional urine tests in Leland, WI, hair follicle testing emerges as the superior choice. It offers unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. The benefits of this method significantly outweigh those of urine tests, making it an ideal choice for many situations where precise detection is key.

Extended Detection Window

One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. In Leland, WI, this test can identify drug use over a period of up to 90 days, offering employers a comprehensive view of an employee or applicant’s substance history. This long detection window is invaluable for thorough assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests present a tamper-resistant method, greatly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration in Leland, WI. This provides results that are both reliable and beyond question, assuring stakeholders of the integrity of the drug testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a network of convenient testing centers nationwide, including those in Leland, WI, accessing our hair follicle testing services is hassle-free. This comprehensive network ensures quick and easy access to reliable drug testing services, meeting diverse needs efficiently and effectively.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Leland, WI is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the process addresses privacy concerns while offering ease of use, ensuring participants a smooth and discreet experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Leland, WI, our hair follicle testing services come with affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This combination provides excellent value, catering to the needs of companies regardless of their size, and assuring them peace of mind with efficient service delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Leland, WI are known for their remarkable precision and speed. This testing method provides fast and accurate results, quickly detecting substance use with high accuracy. This offers peace of mind to employers looking for reliable drug testing solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By implementing hair follicle testing, employers in Leland, WI can ensure their compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This measure helps reduce legal risks and plays a pivotal role in enhancing workplace safety, giving employers the peace of mind they desire for their operations.

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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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