Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Munster, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. By taking samples close to the scalp, hair can indicate substance use for periods of up to roughly 3 months. It is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A specimen of 1.5 inches from approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or testing that exceeds 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale is advisable to weigh the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, a corresponding amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial sample integration into the lab’s system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entries missing from the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-effective approach to predominantly identify non-usage, a positive screen requires confirmation to hold up in legal contexts. Samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

For samples that are presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this phase, substances are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than observed in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is duly reviewed adhering to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests identify substance use over a span of up to 90 days, unlike the shorter detection period in urine tests.
• Low possibility of manipulation: Cheating hair drug tests is notably challenging, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Supplies historical insights: It reveals patterns of substance usage over time rather than just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal immediate use: It typically takes about 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expenditure: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and distinct growth rates can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Advantages of Hair Over Urine Tests in New Munster include better detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair tests have a longer detection window.

This longer window and reliability make employers and authorities more inclined towards hair testing, ensuring comprehensive and accurate results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Windows of up to 90 days provide a formidable advantage in New Munster. This extended period gives employers insights into an individual's substance history.

Therefore, hair follicle testing provides a broader understanding of an individual's substance use over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair Follicle Testing: A Tamper-Resistant Solution offers New Munster a reliable method for sample collection. Such tests significantly reduce adulteration risks, ensuring results are dependable and unquestionable.

This method is preferred for its ability to maintain integrity and reliability in drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in New Munster offer unparalleled convenience. Our centers are strategically positioned to facilitate seamless drug testing experiences.

Testing services are accessible, thus providing convenience and hassle-free engagement.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Process ensures privacy in New Munster. Ordering, taking, and receiving results involves ease and confidentiality, making the process streamlined and discreet.

Our system guarantees data privacy, catering to individual concerns empathetically.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Testing and Fast Turnaround in New Munster ensures competitive pricing and swift results. Companies of all sizes benefit from the value and efficiency offered.

Quick turnarounds coupled with affordable rates establish a balanced, cost-effective testing service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Reliable Hair Follicle Testing in New Munster offers unmatched accuracy in substance detection. This method is recognized for its speed and precision, ensuring accurate results quickly.

High Accuracy is a leading feature, making hair follicle testing preferable in precision-sensitive scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Peace of Mind for New Munster employers includes embracing hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks.

Such compliance enhances workplace safety, providing a serene environment for operations.

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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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