Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maple Grove, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved as a strong mechanism for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. By encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, it offers a long-term historical overview of alcohol and drugs usage. When extracted near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use for a period extending up to three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, complicated to tamper with, and easy to transport.

Gathering a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp will yield around 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a similar quantity of body hair may be substituted. When we mention head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in processing a drug test result in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is incorporated into a laboratory’s system. This involves checking that the sample has been appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses an initial brief assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to negate drug use in the majority of cases, any positive screen needs subsequent confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample display a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a complex methodology to execute.

Subsequent Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumption positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as warranted. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to deceive: It's exceedingly challenging to cheat a hair drug test, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Historical usage data: It can offer a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incipient use undetectable: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing alternatives.
• Divergences in outcomes: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can modify the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Maple Grove, WI, surpasses traditional urine testing by offering a more reliable and accurate detection method. The prolonged detection period makes it superior, allowing for identification of drug use within the past 90 days. This extensive window provides substantial benefits over urine tests, which are limited in their scope and duration.

Moreover, the consistency and inability to tamper with hair testing results make it the preferred option. Employers seeking a foolproof method to enforce their drug-free policies can confidently rely on hair testing over urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Maple Grove, WI employers favor hair follicle testing due to its ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior. This extended detection window provides a thorough insight into an individual's substance history, assuring employers of an applicant's or employee's commitment to staying drug-free. The hair test's broad scope ensures a more comprehensive understanding of behavior.

With this extended detection capability, companies gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use patterns. Increasingly, hair tests are chosen for their thoroughness and straightforward approach.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Maple Grove, WI, hair follicle drug tests offer a more tamper-resistant method than traditional testing. Their collection process is secure and reliable, reducing risks of cheating or sample adulteration. Their resistance to tampering ensures authenticity and credibility of results, making hair follicle tests a preferred choice for strict compliance.

Given their almost invulnerable nature, hair tests safeguard against discrepancies and disputes, providing outcomes with unquestionable integrity. Employers value this assurance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Finding testing locations in Maple Grove, WI is hassle-free with Accredited Drug Testing's widespread network. By offering nationwide testing centers, service accessibility is simplified for all employees and employers. Such convenience ensures timely and efficient testing, without logistical delays.

Local residents benefit from streamlined procedures, making necessary testing quick and straightforward. The ease of access through local centers enhances efficiency and reduces travel burdens.

Simple, Confidential Process

Maple Grove, WI individuals enjoy a simple and confidential process with hair follicle testing. Starting from ordering to receiving results, every step is crafted to preserve privacy. The process's simplicity reassures participants who prioritize confidentiality and ease of use in testing circumstances.

The commitment to confidentiality ensures that personal details and results remain secure, enabling stress-free engagement in necessary testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle tests in Maple Grove, WI. The affordable pricing structure caters to organizations of different sizes, providing excellent value without compromising quality. Their efficient service delivery ensures companies receive results promptly.

Businesses across the region appreciate the balance of cost and speed, knowing testing needs are met efficiently and effectively amidst budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Maple Grove, WI, hair follicle drug testing is recognized for its precision and swiftness. The method's high accuracy in detecting substances ensures trust in the results. With a quick and effective testing process, Accredited Drug Testing provides timely outcomes, crucial for decision-making in employment and legal cases.

The distinguished reliability of hair follicle testing stems from its ability to pick up on even the smallest traces of drug use. This method excels where others may fall short, consistently delivering dependable and authentic results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Maple Grove, WI brings compliance and peace of mind for employers intent on maintaining a drug-free workplace. By implementing hair tests, businesses reduce legal risks associated with drug use policies. The emphasis on compliance helps foster a safe workplace environment, crucial to company reputation and safety.

With the assurance that drug policies are enforced consistently, companies can operate with reduced fear of litigation, leading to improved morale and productivity.

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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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