Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shorewood, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair locks in biomarkers within its strands, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When collected from near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use over roughly a three-month span. Its ease of collection, difficulty to tamper with, and straightforward shipment add to its appeal.

A 1.5-inch section comprising around 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is an optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. A jeweler's scale is advisable for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, the same quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test outcome include four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the procedure of incorporating a sample into the laboratory's system. This stage involves affirming that the sample’s seal and shipment were intact, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and completing any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial, expeditious assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Positive samples in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Drugs are isolated from the hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples get washed before confirmation as needed. From Accessioning through Confirmation, the entire laboratory process aligns with the standards set by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Pros of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a narrower time frame.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological usage patterns: It offers insight into a pattern of drug consumption over time, instead of solely recent use.

Cons:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: Drugs require around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Higher expenses: Hair drug tests typically incur greater costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Excels Over Urine Testing

• In Shorewood, the efficacy of hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests.
• Hair testing's superior detection period reveals long-term substance use, while urine testing covers only recent use.
• Employers, courts, and individuals benefit from the enhanced reliability and accuracy hair testing offers.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

• Hair follicle tests in Shorewood offer a far-reaching detection window, spanning up to 90 days.
• This extended period provides a detailed view of an individual's substance history, crucial for making informed employment decisions.
• Employers gain unparalleled insights, allowing for more comprehensive evaluations than with shorter window methods like urine testing.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing

• In Shorewood, hair follicle testing is a formidable defense against sample tampering.
• The observed collection process reduces risks of adulteration, ensuring trustworthy results.
• Employers and legal professionals rely on this method for its resilience, offering peace of mind and dependable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations

• Accredited Drug Testing ensures Shorewood residents easy access with nationwide testing centers.
• Local centers provide hassle-free service, fostering quick and efficient testing experiences.
• Whether in Shorewood or beyond, the expansive network offers convenience at your fingertips.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential

• Our hair testing process in Shorewood is streamlined and respects privacy.
• Ordering, testing, and receiving results are straightforward, reducing anxiety and uncertainty.
• Confidentiality is paramount, protecting personal information throughout every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

• In Shorewood, our hair testing services combine budget-friendly pricing with rapid results.
• Our competitive pricing delivers value, while swift result turnaround supports timely decision-making.
• This offers businesses of all sizes assurance and satisfaction with their testing experience.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results

• Hair follicle drug tests in Shorewood offer unmatched precision and speed in detecting substance use.
• The accuracy ensures reliable outcomes, crucial for various professional and legal contexts.
• These tests rapidly deliver clear, decisive results, empowering decision-makers with essential information quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind

• Hair follicle testing supports Shorewood employers in maintaining workplace drug-free policies.
• By optimizing compliance, it reduces legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety.
• Employers enjoy the confidence provided by a rigorous and reliable testing process.

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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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