Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lisbon, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now considered an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures biomarkers in the structure of the growing hair fibers, allowing a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption. If gathered near the scalp, it can provide a detection timeline of up to roughly 3 months. The collection of hair is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp contains 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. When referring to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

There are four key steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial introduction of a sample into a laboratory's workflow. This process includes verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) at random, and completing any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening offers an initial swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although it is a cost-saving approach to potentially exclude drug use in most cases, to be legally valid, a positive screen must be confirmed. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

If a presumptive positive result is found during the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. In this stage, substances are removed from hair at concentrations significantly lower than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis one of the most challenging processes to conduct.

Utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS, Confirmation is performed on any positive screening outcome. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair drug testing can identify drug use up to 90 days, versus the reduced timeframe that urine tests offer.
• Tough to manipulate: Tampering with a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Long-term usage patterns: It offers insights into drug usage trends over time, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot pinpoint recent consumption: Drugs only become noticeable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing usually incurs higher costs than other drug testing alternatives.
• Inconsistent outcomes: Certain variables such as hair hue and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", this assessment evaluates the hair strand itself and not the hair follicle found below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Lisbon, WI surpasses urine tests by offering extensive detection windows.
While traditional urine tests cover recent substance use, hair testing provides broader accuracy and reliability.

Employers find hair testing advantageous for its unparalleled detection capabilities and reliable results.
The benefit lies in its ability to trace drug use over time, ensuring comprehensive evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle test's advantage lies in its extended detection window of up to 90 days in Lisbon, WI.
Employers gain a more thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history.

This broader window ensures a detailed assessment, providing a holistic view of potential substance use.
Employers trust it for a reliable examination of past drug activity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing's ability to deter tampering makes it a trusted method in Lisbon, WI.
The risk of adulteration is significantly reduced, ensuring accurate results every time.

The tamper-resistant nature of this test provides an assurance of authenticity and unquestionable outcomes.
Its reliability makes it a preferred choice for secure drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Lisbon, WI benefits from the nationwide reach of our testing centers, dubbing access easy and stress-free.
Quick services and local options provide convenience and choice to everyone needing testing.

This accessibility ensures an uncomplicated process for getting tested wherever you are located.
With our wide presence, testing remains hassle-free and efficient for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lisbon, WI, undertaking a hair follicle test is straightforward and private.
The confidential process ensures discretion from order to result delivery.

Privacy concerns are expertly addressed with our user-friendly approach.
Ease of use is guaranteed, making the entire procedure seamless.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing in Lisbon, WI for hair follicle tests ensures great value for organizations of all sizes.
Our competitive rates are complemented by fast result turnaround.

Swift processing times provide companies peace of mind, enhancing value.
Businesses can benefit from cost-effective testing without compromising on speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lisbon, WI, hair follicle testing stands out due to its precision and speed.
It delivers high accuracy in identifying substance use, offering reliable results swiftly.

Quick, dependable results make this method ideal for various testing requirements.
Employers and professionals favor its efficacy in detecting drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lisbon, WI find confidence in hair follicle testing for maintaining compliance with drug-free policies.
By ensuring adherence to these standards, they mitigate legal risks and promote workplace safety.

Adopting hair testing contributes to a secure work environment, supporting regulatory compliance.
Companies benefit from reduced liabilities and enhanced employee well-being.

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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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