Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pierce, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair examination has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair that are continually growing. If collected near the scalp, hair can present a detection window of up to nearly three months for alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will produce 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for preliminary screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair refers to all other types (beard, armpit, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure at the laboratory for processing a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial process of incorporating a specimen into the laboratory’s system. This step includes verifying the sample’s correct sealing and shipping, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody platform.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid drug check. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to dismiss drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in court. Samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening do require further confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirming a positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methods. Every presumptive positive sample is cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug consumption up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which offer a shorter detection span.
• Challenge to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test proves very challenging, boosting result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can outline a pattern of drug use over time, not only recent consumption.

Constraints:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the examination actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Pierce, WI, hair follicle testing is favored over urine tests due to its superior benefits. Advantages include:

• Longer detection periods
• Higher accuracy rates
• Reduced potential for sample tampering

Extended Detection Window

In Pierce, WI, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing surpasses other methods. Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, crucial for employers seeking detailed insights during employment evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Pierce, WI are known for significantly reducing the risk of sample tampering. This testing method provides reliable and unquestionable results, as altering or substituting samples is nearly impossible, offering peace of mind for both employers and legal entities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers, including local locations in Pierce, WI, accessing our services is quick and hassle-free. Advantages include:

• Easy scheduling and testing
• Broad availability
• Efficient service

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Pierce, WI is designed to be simple and confidential. Steps include:

• Easy ordering of tests
• Private sample collection
• Secure delivery of results

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, our services in Pierce, WI deliver excellent value. Features include:

• Competitive rates
• Swift results
• Quality assurance

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For fast, accurate, and reliable results in Pierce, WI, hair follicle drug tests stand out. Benefits include:

• Rapid testing process
• High precision
• Accurate detection of substance use

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pierce, WI gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, legal risks are minimized, and safety is enhanced, fostering a healthier, more productive work 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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