Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stevenstown, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a long-term use history by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair samples can reveal up to a three-month history of alcohol and drug use. The procedure is easy to perform, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward for shipping.

A sample sized at 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp offers 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. Here, "head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the sample's initial integration into the lab’s protocol. This includes ensuring correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Though cost-effective for mostly negating drug usage on the majority of samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Consequently, additional validation is necessary for any samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening.

For samples assumed positive after Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for further evaluation in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are withdrawn from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug testing.

Any positive screening findings undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. If required, all presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation. This entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection: Hair tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is nearly impossible, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: Offers a chronological pattern of drug use rather than just recent usage indicators.

Drawbacks:

• No recent use detection: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Variability in outcomes: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Even though these tests are commonly called "hair follicle tests", they actually examine the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug detection methods in Stevenstown, WI, hair follicle testing stands superior. Unlike traditional urine analyses, hair tests provide in-depth detection accuracy and are remarkably reliable, making them the preferred choice among employers seeking thorough screening services.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Stevenstown, WI, offers an unparalleled extended detection window. Unlike other drug testing methods, it traces drug use for up to 90 days, granting employers a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use over a prolonged period.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests in Stevenstown, WI, are designed to mitigate tampering risks effectively. Their structure ensures that the results are trustworthy and conclusive, reducing the probability of sample adulteration and providing authentic results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible and convenient, our testing centers across Stevenstown, WI, and beyond, ensure hassle-free drug test access. Our nationwide presence guarantees prompt and seamless testing services for individuals and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The drug testing process in Stevenstown, WI, is both straightforward and confidential. From order placement to result acquisition, the steps are designed to maintain privacy and simplicity, alleviating concerns over data protection.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Highlighting competitive pricing in Stevenstown, WI, hair follicle testing promises rapid turnaround and great value, catering to businesses of varying sizes. It ensures affordability coupled with swift results, suited to corporate needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Stevenstown, WI, hair follicle tests deliver swift and precise results, exuding accuracy in identifying substance use. With a focus on rapid processing, these tests boast high reliability, offering a quick yet detailed analysis to those requiring drug testing solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Stevenstown, WI, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, aiding compliance with drug-free workplace regulations. This testing method not only minimizes legal issues but also enhances safety within the 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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