Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Schleswig, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers of alcohol and other substances within the fibers of the growing strand, offering a comprehensive historical record. When sourced near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection window of up to about three months for alcohol and other substances. It is easy to collect, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) from closest to the scalp is required to obtain 100 mg, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding ten panels, 150 mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. Reference to head hair indicates scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes other hair types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The primary four steps in processing a drug test outcome in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a specimen into the lab's system. This encompasses validating that the specimen was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not documented by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Screening offers an economical means to eliminate drug use in the majority of cases; however, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be accepted in judicial proceedings. Any samples with preliminary positive results require secondary confirmation.

If a specimen is indicated as positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from the hair at substantially lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug analysis the most challenging methodology to implement.

Confirmation of any preliminary positive Screening result is finalized using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive specimens undergo washing as necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can identify drug use for as many as 90 days, compared to the shorter detection periods urine tests provide.
• Reduced manipulation risk: Manipulating a hair drug test result is very challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Depicts usage pattern: It offers a usage pattern over a timeline rather than reflecting only recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot determine recent consumption: Detection in hair takes approximately 5-7 days following drug use.
• Expense: Hair drug analysis generally costs more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth rates may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often incorrectly used, as the actual analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Schleswig, WI shows significant advantages over traditional urine testing. Its ability to detect longer-term drug use provides a more accurate picture of an individual's history, whereas urine tests often miss intermittent drug use.

Unlike urine testing, which offers a limited detection window, hair tests can track drug presence for up to 90 days, enhancing detection accuracy and ensuring a reliable representation of substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

In Schleswig, WI, hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This feature is invaluable for employers seeking a full understanding of an employee's substance use over time.

By covering a more extended period, hair tests offer a broader perspective on substance habits, informing hiring and monitoring decisions more comprehensively than short-term alternatives like urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Schleswig, WI provide a tamper-resistant solution for drug testing needs. The integrity of hair sampling significantly reduces the likelihood of adulteration or substitution, ensuring reliable results.

Unlike other methods, where sample manipulation can compromise outcomes, hair tests maintain their integrity from collection to analysis, empowering stakeholders with confidence in the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience for Schleswig, WI residents through nationwide and local locations. Our widespread testing network allows easy access to services, minimizing any hassle associated with the testing process.

With testing centers strategically located, individuals can quickly schedule and complete their tests locally, providing a seamless experience from start to finish.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Schleswig, WI, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From order placement to result delivery, the procedure is designed to be hassle-free, ensuring participant privacy.

By simplifying the steps involved, individuals can participate with confidence, knowing their personal information and results are protected every step of the way.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests in Schleswig, WI, ensuring excellent value for businesses of any size.

Our efficient processes guarantee speedy results without sacrificing quality, allowing companies to make informed decisions swiftly while managing costs effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Schleswig, WI delivers fast and accurate results, setting a high standard for reliability in substance detection. The precision of this method ensures that even trace amounts of substances are identified, providing critical information for decision-making.

With advanced analysis techniques, hair tests swiftly detect a wide range of drugs, offering a reliable alternative to traditional testing methods. This efficiency is crucial for maintaining workplace safety standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Schleswig, WI employers, hair follicle testing streamlines compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks and promoting a safe working environment.

Implementing hair testing as a standard procedure offers peace of mind by ensuring consistent enforcement of zero-tolerance drug policies, thereby enhancing overall workplace safety culture.

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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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