Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ridgeland, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a historical timeline of alcohol and drug consumption by storing biomarkers within its growing fibers. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A hair specimen measuring 1.5 inches comprising about 200 strands (roughly equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests over 10 panels, it is advised to gather 150mg of the specimen. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive result from Screening must be confirmed to be legally admissible. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require secondary confirmation.

In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the sample for further processing in the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as presumptive positive undergo a washing process before confirmation if needed. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to deceive: It is very challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage trends: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Approximately 5-7 days are necessary for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the test specifically examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Ridgeland, WI, hair testing offers advantages superior to traditional urine tests. The extended detection period enables identification of substance use months after intake. Hair testing's stringent collection process also guarantees results that are both reliable and accurate, providing peace of mind and eliminating doubts about test integrity.

Extended Detection Window

With the ability to pinpoint drug use up to 90 days prior, hair follicle testing in Ridgeland, WI offers a broad view of an individual's substance history. Employers gain a more comprehensive understanding of a candidate or employee's past behavior, surpassing the narrow window offered by traditional urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Ridgeland, WI are a robust defense against sample tampering. This testing method makes it exceedingly difficult to adulterate samples, ensuring that the results are trustworthy and beyond reproach. The integrity of each result is preserved, providing assurance to those relying on accurate data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide and local centers in Ridgeland, WI, Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience. Our readily accessible locations ensure that you can quickly and easily partake in testing services without hassle, catering to both local needs and those operating on a broader scale.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Ridgeland, WI is both simple and confidential. Ordering, participating in, and receiving results is straightforward, designed to address concerns about privacy and ease, ensuring that the focus remains on the testing's objectives rather than procedural complexity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Ridgeland, WI provides competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our affordable services offer exceptional value, making reliable drug testing an accessible option for companies of any size, delivering results that are prompt and budget-friendly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Ridgeland, WI provide results that are both quick and precise. Their high accuracy in substance detection ensures that you receive results you can trust swiftly, without compromising on quality. The meticulous testing process ensures that each sample yields insights that are reliable and accurate.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Ridgeland, WI, hair follicle testing assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces potential legal liabilities and enhances safety, offering a profound sense of security and compliance, which is crucial in maintaining a productive and secure 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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