Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Poygan, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly viewed as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline by capturing biomarkers within the growing strand's fibers. Proximal scalp hair can reveal up to a 3-month history of drug and alcohol use. Collecting hair is easy, difficult to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width), yields 100mg, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The primary steps in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with integrating a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and inputs additional necessary data absent in electronic chain of custody systems.

Screening provides an initial, swift evaluation for drug abuse. Although Screening efficiently excludes drug use in most cases, confirmed testing is necessary for legal validity. Presumptively positive samples in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS for positive Screen results. Samples showing presumptive positives are washed pre-confirmation when required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated per CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which detect for shorter periods.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Provides usage history: It maps drug patterns over time, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Can't detect recent intake: Drugs appear in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs versus other methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests," this analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Poygan, WI, hair follicle testing clearly outshines traditional urine tests in numerous ways. The longer detection window of hair tests captures substance use long after initial ingestion, providing a more thorough overview. Additionally, hair tests are almost impossible to manipulate, ensuring superior reliability.

Extended Detection Window

One of the most notable benefits of hair follicle testing in Poygan, WI is its extended detection window. This method can track drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers with a detailed analysis of an individual's drug history, which is far beyond what urine tests can offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method offers a substantial advantage by minimizing the chances of tampering, especially in Poygan, WI. Its nature makes altering or adulterating the sample nearly impossible, ensuring that test results are both credible and dependable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations across the nation and locally in Poygan, WI, accessing testing services has never been easier. Our extensive network ensures that individuals can efficiently undergo testing without the stress of navigating distant or unfamiliar locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Poygan, WI, our drug testing process is designed to be straightforward and discreet. From ordering to receiving results, clients experience a seamless and private service. Our commitment to confidentiality ensures that all personal information remains protected, easing concerns regarding privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift results turnaround in Poygan, WI, we deliver exceptional value for various organizations. Our cost-effective solutions ensure that businesses, regardless of size, can benefit from reliable and timely drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The accuracy and speed of hair follicle drug tests stand out in Poygan, WI. These tests are incredibly precise, providing quick and reliable results. Their ability to detect even small traces of substances ensures a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Poygan, WI find peace of mind through hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method not only supports legal compliance but also promotes a safer working environment by reducing substance-related risks.

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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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