Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Neopit, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a robust method for discerning drug and alcohol use. Hair can record a lengthy history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair strand fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers about a 3-month detection duration for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. 'Head hair' specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal steps in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is entered into the laboratory’s system. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in numerous samples, any positive results require confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that test positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than through other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is a reason why hair drug testing is among the more challenging methodologies.

Any positive Screening outcomes undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results are washed as needed. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the standards of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests trace drug use for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Difficulty to cheat: Hair drug tests are difficult to falsify, enhancing accuracy.
• Provides historical data: They can map a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent ingestion.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: There is a latency of about 5-7 days before drugs appear in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other testing methods.
• Variations in results: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Neopit, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing. Why? Due to its precision and extended detection capabilities.

Advantages include accuracy and reliability, making it superior for substance detection.

Extended Detection Window

With up to a 90-day detection window, hair follicle testing in Neopit, WI offers a comprehensive view of drug use.

This thorough approach helps employers assess the substance history of personnel effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Neopit, WI benefits from hair follicle testing's tamper-resistant nature, minimizing adulteration risks.

It provides results that are both reliable and difficult to dispute, ensuring test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide and local testing facilities in Neopit, WI provide seamless access to testing services.

Quick and easy testing options are available close to home, ensuring hassle-free procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Neopit, WI, the hair testing process is simple and confidential, addressing privacy and ease of use concerns.

Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results remain discreet and straightforward.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and swift results make hair follicle testing a cost-effective choice in Neopit, WI.

Efficient turnaround times ensure value and confidence among businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Neopit, WI delivers fast, accurate results. Its precision sets it apart in detecting substance use efficiently.

The test's high accuracy is notable, making it a reliable option for time-sensitive scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Neopit, WI gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free policies.

This method reduces legal risks while promoting a safer workplace 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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