Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Polk, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair offers an extended history of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection range for substances extending up to roughly 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample size of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in the majority of cases, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are preliminary positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is initially positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this step, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is extremely difficult to falsify a hair drug test, making the outcomes more reliable.
• Delivers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of substance use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: While frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In the realm of drug testing, hair follicle tests shine brighter than traditional urine tests. One of the primary reasons is the endurance of detection; hair analyses can trace drug usage back as far as 90 days. Conversely, urine tests typically offer a much narrower window, capturing only the recent days' usage. Additionally, the reliability of hair testing eliminates many of the uncertainties that sometimes accompany urine-based assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a crucial factor in substance testing. In Polk, WI, hair follicle testing excels at providing a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug history, tracing usage for up to 90 days. This extensive window allows employers to make informed decisions by evaluating a broader picture of potential or current employees' habits, offering insights that surpass the capabilities of more fleeting methods like urine testing.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to tampering, providing a significant advantage over other testing methods. In Polk, WI, the meticulous process of hair sampling ensures that the risk of sample adulteration is markedly reduced. This robust method safeguards against deception, ensuring that results are legitimate and trustworthy, which is paramount for employers and others relying on accurate drug use detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key, and our numerous testing locations provide just that across the nation, including Polk, WI. Midst extensive testing facilities, individuals can experience quick, simple, and hassle-free service. Whether local or nationwide, our extensive network ensures that accessing necessary tests is seamless, making it easier than ever to fulfill any drug testing requirements efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing is designed to be both simple and confidential, offering peace of mind in Polk, WI. From ordering the test to sample collection and result reception, every step prioritizes user-friendly experience and privacy. This ensures that individuals can navigate the testing procedure without concerns over their personal information being compromised.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing combined with fast turnarounds makes hair follicle testing an attractive option for businesses in Polk, WI. Our competitive pricing structure offers excellent value for companies, regardless of their size, while the swift result delivery ensures that businesses can maintain smooth operations without unnecessary delays. This combination is crucial for employers seeking efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, accurate, and reliable - these are the hallmarks of hair follicle drug testing offered in Polk, WI. Unlike many other methods, hair tests not only provide precision but also deliver rapid results. As a trusted process for detecting substance use, hair follicle testing stands out due to its advanced capabilities, ensuring that individuals and employers receive the most dependable information available.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and offering peace of mind are essential benefits of hair follicle testing in Polk, WI. By adhering to workplace drug-free policies, companies not only reduce potential legal liabilities but also promote a safer work environment. This testing method helps maintain integrity and compliance, enhancing an organization's ability to enforce zero-tolerance drug policies effectively.

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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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