Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Underhill, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair strand’s fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair samples offer an approximate three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, approximately the size of a #2 pencil and consisting of around 200 hair strands, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair can’t be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in a laboratory involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab system. This phase involves confirming the sample’s sealing and proper shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo further validation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is incredibly challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals historical use: It outlines a pattern of drug consumption over an extended timeframe, beyond recent use.

Limitations:

• Does not reveal recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Greater cost: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher expenses than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Underhill, WI is more effective than urine testing in various ways. The enhanced detection accuracy of hair tests is unparalleled, identifying substance use over an extended period. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle analyses provide employers assurance in results, thanks to their reliable design and longer detection windows.

Extended Detection Window

Offering an extensive detection period, hair follicle testing in Underhill, WI gives employers a deeper understanding of an individual's substance use history. Coverage extends up to 90 days, surpassing traditional testing methods by revealing long-term consumption patterns, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation of applicants or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Underhill, WI, hair follicle tests boast a highly tamper-resistant nature. This methodology means risk of sample alteration is greatly minimized, thus securing trustworthy and unquestionable results that protect the integrity of the testing process. Such tests prove robust against efforts to manipulate results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Thanks to Accredited Drug Testing's many locations nationwide, Underhill, WI residents find drug testing accessible and straightforward. Our centers are well distributed for convenience, ensuring easy access to testing services that are essential for maintaining workplace integrity and safety effectively.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Underhill, WI, ordering and executing a hair follicle test is a straightforward affair. The process prioritizes confidentiality and ease, from initiating the test request to the final receipt of results, assuring individuals of their privacy while engaging in a hassle-free testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Underhill, WI benefits from Accredited Drug Testing's competitive pricing and rapid result turnaround. This combination of affordability and efficiency offers outstanding value, regardless of business size, ensuring companies experience minimized downtime and reliable drug testing at a fraction of the cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Underhill, WI, hair follicle tests are synonymous with swift and accurate outcomes. Their precision in detecting drugs is exemplary, ensuring that individuals are adequately screened with high reliability. Not only efficient, these tests stand out for their rapid result delivery, allowing for quick decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Underhill, WI supports company adherence to drug-free policies with more ease. By implementing such rigorous testing, employers ensure compliance, reduce possible legal liabilities, and reinforce the safety and productivity of the workplace, all while gaining peace of mind in the testing methods used.

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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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