Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plat, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is acknowledged as a formidable approach for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. This method offers an extended timeline of substance use as hair captures biomarkers within the strands during its growth phase. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug usage for a duration of up to nearly three months. The collection process is straightforward, challenging to manipulate, and convenient for shipping.

A hair section measuring 1.5 inches, comprised of around 200 strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil), yields approximately 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation tests. For higher precision tests such as EtG or those exceeding 10 panels, collecting 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. In instances where scalp hair is absent, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. The term "head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to the initial procedure of integrating a sample into the laboratory system. This phase involves ensuring the sample's seal and shipment were executed correctly, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry tasks omitted by an electronic custody process.

Screening involves a rapid preliminary analysis for detecting drugs of abuse. Though a cost-effective strategy for excluding drug usage in most cases, a positive screening necessitates confirmation for legal validity. Samples indicating a presumptive positive during Screening require further confirmation testing.

Upon yielding a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at notably reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), underpinning the complexity of hair drug testing.

Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS procedures. Necessary washing of all presumptively positive samples occurs before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning through Confirmation is subject to review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Difficulty in manipulation: The complexity of altering hair test results ensures higher accuracy.
• Reflects historical usage data: Captures a pattern of substance use across time, beyond just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Recent drug use detection not possible: A lag of roughly 5-7 days exists before drugs become evident in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Influences such as hair color and personal hair growth variability can impact drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the assessment targets the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing in Plat, WI due to its extended detection capabilities and superior reliability. Unlike urine tests that cover a brief window, hair analysis offers a longer insight.

Greater accuracy and integrity make hair follicle tests a preferred choice over urine tests, particularly for employers and agencies in Plat, WI desiring dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, often up to 90 days, which is advantageous for employers in Plat, WI.

This broader timeframe allows companies to better assess the substance history of applicants and employees, offering a complete view beyond what urine tests reveal.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Plat, WI stands out as a tamper-resistant method. Its collection and analysis make it challenging to alter or fake results, providing dependable outcomes.

Opting for hair analysis reduces risks of sample adulteration, ensuring every test remains credible and secure.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network of testing sites, including ones in Plat, WI, offer convenience and accessibility, making drug testing simple and hassle-free.

Whether near or far, our facilities have you covered, ensuring prompt and comfortable testing services catered to your locale.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Plat, WI is characterized by a simple and confidential process, allaying client concerns about privacy.

From ordering to results, every step is designed for ease, ensuring a seamless experience without compromising confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround on hair drug tests in Plat, WI offer great value to businesses, big and small.

Experience excellence with reasonably priced tests that don’t sacrifice speed, providing both value and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swift results of hair follicle drug tests in Plat, WI are unparalleled. Boasting high accuracy in identifying substances, they ensure reliable outcomes with every screening.

Swift processing without compromising accuracy makes hair drug testing an invaluable tool, providing trustworthy results for any testing need in Plat, WI.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Plat, WI gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, aligning with workplace compliance and drug-free policies, enhancing organizational safety.

This testing method lowers legal liabilities, fostering a safer and more secure work environment for everyone involved.

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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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