Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Milltown, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has garnered recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair offers up to a roughly 3-month detection period for alcohol and drug presence. This method is easy to collect, tamper-resistant, and straightforward to dispatch.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp area will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation testing. For EtG tests, add-ons, or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's recommended to weigh the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in laboratory drug test processing comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's framework. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening executes a preliminary rapid assessment for illicit substances. This cost-efficient method can dismiss substance use in most cases, yet a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally defensible. Samples yielding a presumptive positive require additional verification.

Should a sample be presumptively positive post-Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for further processing. In Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at a notably lower concentration than other techniques (such as urine or saliva), emphasizing the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to necessary confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is conducted following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection span.
• Tamper-proof: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: This method offers a timeline of drug usage, as opposed to mere recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Detecting drugs in hair typically takes between 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually costlier than alternative testing techniques.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The choice between hair follicle and urine drug testing in Milltown, WI, often tips in favor of hair testing due to its superior detection and reliability. Hair tests outperform urine in terms of their longer detection window, making it harder for users to dodge detection. This proves invaluable for employers needing a thorough examination of potential or current employees.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Milltown, WI, surpasses other testing types with its extended detection period, tracking substance use up to 90 days. This comprehensive overview assists employers by offering crucial insights into a candidate's or employee's history. The prolonged window ensures informed decision-making and a truly drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Milltown, WI, drastically reduce the likelihood of sample tampering, yielding dependable results. Unlike other methods, hair testing minimizes adulteration risks, offering employers in Milltown a trustworthy alternative to ensuring a substance-free environment. The stringent collection process solidifies its status as a reliable option.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient hair testing locations nationwide, including Milltown, WI. Our widespread centers simplify the testing process, offering easy access for individuals and companies. The extensive network assures quick service delivery, making drug testing effortless and accessible for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Milltown, WI, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private. From ordering to collecting samples and receiving results, simplicity and confidentiality are prioritized. Our streamlined approach addresses privacy concerns, ensuring a smooth, secure experience for those who undergo testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Milltown, WI, benefits from our hair follicle tests' competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. Offering value for organizations of all sizes, we balance affordability with quick, reliable results. Our efficient service ensures companies remain informed and compliant, without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Milltown, WI, hair follicle drug tests provide rapid, precise, and trustworthy outcomes. Quickly processed, these tests excel at identifying substance use with high levels of accuracy. By choosing hair testing, individuals and businesses receive reliable details, vastly superior to other methods. The speed and accuracy help maintain a safe, drug-free environment efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Milltown, WI, hair follicle testing guarantees policy compliance and peace of mind. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, cutting down legal risks while boosting safety. By deploying hair testing, organizations can reinforce their commitment to a safe, compliant work environment, benefiting all parties involved.

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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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