Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Meenon, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for detecting substance use. The fibers of growing hair embed biomarkers, offering a long-term record of alcohol and other drug usage. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal usage up to about three months prior for alcohol and other drugs. Collection is straightforward, manipulation is relatively challenging, and transportation is easy.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hairs (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG extensions or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, a similar quantity of body hair can suffice. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types, like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary laboratory drug test processing steps include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning signifies the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory system. This step confirms the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry that isn't supplied by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides an initial rapid analysis for drug presence. While it’s a cost-efficient strategy to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result from Screening warrants confirmation to be valid legally. Samples that appear positive in Screening require further confirmation.

For samples indicated as potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the first sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair, where concentrations are generally lower compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing notably challenging.

To confirm any positive screening results, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation where necessary. All steps from Accessioning to Confirmation are evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can uncover drug use over a 90-day span, while urine tests have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: It is quite hard to alter results from a hair drug test, thus increasing result precision.
• Chronological usage data: The test can ascertain a timeline of drug use patterns, covering extended durations.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs can take 5-7 days to become traceable in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are more costly compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and personal hair growth rates may alter drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is frequently misused, as the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Meenon, WI, hair follicle testing outstrips urine testing with its superior accuracy and reliability. While urine tests provide immediate results, hair tests extend an extensive detection window. Thus, they illustrate a broader overview of an individual’s drug history, making them invaluable for zero-tolerance policies and judiciary requirements.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Meenon, WI offers an extended detection timeline, typically reaching up to 90 days. This prolonged window grants employers a broader context of an individual’s substance history, which is particularly crucial for roles requiring high reliability and transparent background checks for better safety and policy compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Adulteration of test samples is a significant issue in many drug testing methods, but Meenon, WI’s hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant solution. Being virtually cheat-proof given the observed collection technique, these tests ensure that results obtained are credible and unquestionable, supporting reliable decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers hassle-free access to testing services in Meenon, WI, with nationwide centers for convenience. Whether on a local or national scale, these centers make it quick and easy for individuals to conduct mandatory drug tests, mitigating logistical challenges and saving time for all parties involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

The drug testing process in Meenon, WI is straightforward and confidential. Simplicity and privacy are prioritized, ensuring users can order, undergo, and receive test results with peace of mind. This approach alleviates concerns related to privacy breaches or complex procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround, our services in Meenon, WI cater to companies of varying sizes. With affordable rates and rapid processing times, businesses achieve excellent value and assurance, supporting robust drug testing frameworks without excessive costs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests in Meenon, WI deliver fast and precise results. Their accuracy surpasses other methods, offering reliable insight into substance use. Speed and dependability are the hallmarks of hair testing, ensuring you get the required information promptly, aiding crucial decisions regarding employment and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Meenon, WI ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, diminishing legal risks and escalating workplace safety. Employers gain peace of mind with enhanced assurance that their workforce adheres to required standards, creating a healthier and more secure environment.

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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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