Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Horeb, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair sampling is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug activity by embedding markers within the strands as they grow. If collected close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hairs (similar to a #2 pencil's size) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is preferable. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When discussing head hair, this refers strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four central stages in processing a drug test outcome in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory's database. This step involves confirming that the sample was sealed and dispatched appropriately, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not supplied via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid check for drug abuse indications. While Screening is a cost-effective method to negate drug use in most samples, any positive results need confirmation for court admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If the Screening phase shows a presumptively positive result, more hair is drawn from the initial sample for Extraction. During this process, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than within alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug tests the most challenging methodology to implement.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a briefer detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: The difficulty in manipulating a hair drug test enhances the precision of the results.
• Gives historical insight: Offers a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to show recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth discrepancies can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing testing methods in Mount Horeb, WI, hair follicle drug tests offer numerous advantages over urine tests. Hair tests provide a more reliable and accurate detection of substances, uncovering drug use that might be missed by traditional urine tests. The enhanced detection capabilities of hair testing ensure that even low concentrations of drugs are identified, providing a comprehensive assessment of drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

In Mount Horeb, WI, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, this testing method gives employers a thorough view of an individual’s substance history. This extended range is invaluable for decision-making processes, allowing for a detailed understanding of long-term substance habits that urine tests cannot offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Mount Horeb, WI, significantly minimize the risk of tampering, ensuring the integrity of the results. Unlike urine tests, which can be manipulated, hair testing provides a more secure means of obtaining reliable data. The inherent resistance to adulteration in hair samples ensures the authenticity of the findings, giving complete assurance to employers and legal entities relying on these results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Conveniently located testing centers in Mount Horeb, WI, and across the nation make accessing drug testing services straightforward. With numerous locations, Accredited Drug Testing provides quick and hassle-free service, ensuring individuals and businesses can effortlessly access necessary tests without inconvenient travel or long wait times. This wide network simplifies the testing process for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Mount Horeb, WI, the hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test to taking it, and finally receiving the results, the process is streamlined and secure. Concerns about privacy and user-friendliness are addressed, making it easy for individuals to participate in testing without apprehension regarding their personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Mount Horeb, WI, Accredited Drug Testing presents affordable pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle tests. By maintaining competitive pricing structures, businesses of all sizes can benefit from this cost-effective service. Coupled with fast results, the value offered is unmatched, guaranteeing peace of mind and high satisfaction for cost-conscious companies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Mount Horeb, WI, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast and accurate results. The precision of these tests offers a clear view of substance use, distinguishing them from other testing methods. The accuracy and quick turnaround time ensure dependable results, making them a preferred choice for employers and individuals alike, minimizing any waiting periods associated with traditional drug testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

The use of hair follicle testing in Mount Horeb, WI, helps ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By utilizing this secure and reliable testing method, employers can reduce legal liabilities and enhance workplace safety. The certainty of the results from hair follicle tests gives employers peace of mind, knowing they are upholding rigorous, compliant drug policies.

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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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