Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sarona, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are now recognized as a significant method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the structure of the strands that are growing. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month timeframe for the detection of alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to alter, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch piece consisting of about 200 hair strands (the approximate thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the ideal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The four primary components involved in the lab handling of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the introductory steps of incorporating a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This comprises confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary review for substances of abuse. Although it is cost-effective to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive result in Screening must be verified to stand in court. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For presumptive positives identified in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. Here, drugs are withdrawn from the hair at a notably less concentrated level than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluids), emphasizing why hair drug examination is the most complex to execute.

Confirmation of positive Screening conclusions is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Every sample with a presumptive positive status is cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory steps from Accessioning to Confirmation are scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests capture drug consumption up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter timeframe.
• Difficulty to manipulate results: The challenge in altering hair drug test results contributes to more reliable outcomes.
• Historical usage patterns: These tests can depict drug consumption trends over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to reflect immediate use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be influenced by elements such as hair color and individual growth differences.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sarona, WI
Hair testing significantly outperforms traditional urine tests, offering unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can have limited detection windows, hair tests provide a more comprehensive examination of substance use over a longer duration, making them a preferred choice for many organizations and institutions.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Sarona, WI
The capability to identify drug use within a time span of up to 90 days sets hair follicle testing apart. This extensive detection period provides employers with a detailed overview of an individual's substance habits, proving invaluable in assessing the long-term substance history of applicants or employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sarona, WI
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the chance of sample tampering, thereby yielding results that are both reliable and uncontestable. The thorough nature of hair testing ensures integrity and confidence in the results obtained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sarona, WI
Our network of nationwide testing centers, including those in Sarona, ensures accessibility and convenience, facilitating a seamless and efficient testing experience for all clients. Quick and hassle-free access to testing services is a key benefit of our widespread testing locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Sarona, WI
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and ensures confidentiality. This streamlined approach addresses any concerns regarding privacy while offering ease of use every step of the way, providing a stress-free experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sarona, WI
Our competitive pricing models and rapid turnaround times position us as a top choice, providing exceptional value and assurance for companies of varying sizes. By ensuring affordability and timely results, we cater to the diverse needs of businesses effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sarona, WI
Hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their high precision and speed in detecting substances. The meticulous process ensures that results are not only received expediently but are also extremely reliable, providing individuals and organizations with accurate insights into substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sarona, WI
Employers utilizing hair follicle testing experience enhanced compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This approach reduces legal risks and contributes to a safer working environment, instilling confidence and peace of mind for businesses committed to maintaining strict safety standards.

Drug Testing Near Sarona, WI

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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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