Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Union Grove, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as an effective resource in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged record of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the hair fiber strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, such hair offers a prospective detection duration for alcohol and substances of roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch section of nearly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional analyses, or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to verify the specimen weight using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is inaccessible, an equal measure of body hair might be gathered. References to head hair specify scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning signifies the initial sample processing in a lab’s framework. This phase ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening executes an initial swift assessment for substance use. While Screening provides a cost-effective approach for ruling out drug consumption in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening warrant secondary confirmations.

If Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair from the original sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. Here, drug substances are retrieved from hair at reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation for any screening positive relies on GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before final confirmation as required. The entire lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Benefits of hair drug assessments:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug assessments identify substance usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Faking results in a hair drug assessment is extremely challenging, boosting result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It reveals patterns of drug usage across time, not merely recent consumption.

Challenges:

• Inability to discern recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair pigment and personal hair growth discrepancies can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug testing methods in Union Grove, WI, hair follicle tests hold distinct benefits over traditional urine exams. The detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing are superior, due to its comprehensive nature. While urine tests detect recent consumption, hair analysis provides a broader spectrum overview, enhancing the assurance and precision of drug testing results.

Extended Detection Window

One key advantage of hair follicle testing in Union Grove, WI, is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, hair analysis can identify drug use for up to 90 days, offering a detailed insight into an individual's substance history. This prolonged timeframe gives employers a clearer understanding of their applicant's or employee's past drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Union Grove, WI, present a tamper-resistant methodology that drastically minimizes sample manipulation risks. This robust testing process assures that results are reliable and beyond dispute, fostering trustworthiness in the assessment of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing in Union Grove, WI, provides nationwide testing facilities, ensuring ease of access and speed. Locally, our centers offer quick and convenient services, allowing clients to access testing programs without inconvenience, expertly supported by our extensive network.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair testing process in Union Grove, WI is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Clients find the ordering, testing, and result receiving stages streamlined and private, respecting individual's privacy concerns and offering a straightforward approach to drug screening needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Union Grove, WI, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Our cost-effective solutions cater to companies of all sizes, ensuring substantial value. The rapid delivery of results provides peace of mind, affirming our commitment to excellent service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Union Grove, WI, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and accuracy. These tests deliver precise results, ensuring that individuals who have consumed substances are reliably identified. The hair analysis process is finely attuned to detecting various drugs, offering swift and dependable outcomes that meet the needs of both individuals and organizations alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Union Grove, WI, brings compliance and peace of mind to the workplace. Adopting this method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, diminishing potential legal issues. Businesses benefit from enhanced safety and reduced liability risks, creating a secure and productive 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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