Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pensaukee, WI

What it is, How it works

Through time, hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a historical archive for alcohol and other drugs, capturing indicators in the fibers of its growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and various drugs. It's easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to ship.

A collection of about 200 strands, measuring 1.5 inches and resembling the size of a #2 pencil, closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional screening, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair. "Body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The standardized steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample undergoes its initial laboratory system processing. It includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry gaps not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. Though Screening serves as an economical approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives need secondary confirmation.

In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drug extraction occurs at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation follows any positive Screening result, employing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before necessary confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceptionally tough, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Shows historical data: It offers a drug use pattern over time, unlike tests focusing solely on recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Costs: Hair drug tests typically incur higher expenses versus other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Changes in hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly described as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug testing in Pensaukee, WI, hair follicle testing significantly surpasses traditional urine tests. Hair follicle tests boast unparalleled accuracy in detection, picking up substances that might otherwise go unnoticed. This thoroughness ensures superior reliability, giving employers the confidence they need in their hiring and monitoring processes while minimizing the risk of false negatives.

Extended Detection Window

Pensaukee, WI employers benefit from the extended detection window that hair follicle testing provides, capturing drug use for up to 90 days. This long-term insight offers a comprehensive view into an individual’s substance history, surpassing the capabilities of other testing methods. Such detailed historical data helps employers maintain a clear perspective on potential or existing employee behaviors related to drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Pensaukee, WI, is known for its tamper-resistant nature, critically reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This secure method ensures results are both trustworthy and irrefutable. With hair samples being more difficult to contaminate or substitute than urine, this testing approach offers peace of mind with uncompromised and credible data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Pensaukee, WI residents benefit from the convenience of nationwide network testing locations, including local availability. Our vast reach offers swift and hassle-free access to drug-testing services, ensuring that both individuals and employers can undertake necessary steps with ease. This widespread accessibility supports timely drug screening processes efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Pensaukee, WI, is both straightforward and discreet. From ordering to receiving results, steps are designed to respect privacy while maintaining ease of use. The confidentiality of this method addresses privacy concerns, ensuring individuals feel secure throughout the testing journey without any unnecessary complications.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Pensaukee, WI, businesses will find that the pricing for hair follicle testing remains competitive, offering excellent value. Fast turnaround times mean that companies of all sizes can rely on prompt and accurate results without incurring substantial costs. This affordable approach reaffirms the value of comprehensive and reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Pensaukee, WI, hair follicle drug tests have gained a reputation for their rapid and reliable results. These tests not only detect substance use with high precision but also deliver quick outcomes, ensuring individuals and employers receive timely information. The accuracy and speed of hair follicle tests make them an invaluable tool in maintaining drug-free environments without compromising response times.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Pensaukee, WI, hair follicle testing provides assurance through enhanced compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only aligns with stringent legal standards but also reduces potential legal risks. Ensuring a drug-free environment enhances safety and productivity, giving companies peace of mind in their operations and staffing choices.

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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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