Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Athens, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-lasting record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When acquired near the scalp, hair offers up to a roughly 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

An optimal sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp equals 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent portion of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four fundamental steps in lab-processing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any missing data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses an initial quick glance for illicit drugs. While Screening efficiently eliminates drug use in most samples, a positive result mandates confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which positions hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a 90-day period, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Hard to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks historical usage: It offers a pattern of drug use spanning time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Athens, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering a more detailed analysis of drug use.
Hair tests provide better detection accuracy and are more reliable in demonstrating substance history.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides a longer detection window, allowing employers to see extensive drug use patterns.
While urine tests suffice for recent use, hair tests cover a broader timeframe, proving superior for comprehensive assessments.

Extended Detection Window

In Athens, WI, hair follicle testing extends the detection window to an impressive 90 days, capturing long-term substance use patterns.
This extensive timeframe allows employers to observe the drug use history of employees or applicants over months rather than days.

Employers gain a holistic view of an individual's substance use history with hair testing, thanks to its extended detection window.
This method provides significant insights, enhancing decision-making on potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Athens, WI, significantly mitigates the risk of sample adulteration, enhancing reliability.
The process is inherently tamper-resistant, offering unquestionable results.

Due to the nature of hair collection, manipulations commonly attempted in urine tests are virtually eliminated.
This provides assurance to employers that test results are authentic and untainted, maintaining test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Athens, WI, the convenience of nationwide and local testing centers ensures easy access to testing services.
Our nationwide presence guarantees hassle-free access, no matter your location.

Enjoy quick and uncomplicated access to drug testing across the country, streamlining the process for both employers and individuals.
This extensive network facilitates efficient testing with minimal disruptions to schedules.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Athens, WI, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential.
Ordering, taking, and receiving results is designed for ease and privacy, ensuring client comfort.

The procedure is discreet, respecting participants' concerns about confidentiality and simplicity.
This user-friendly approach ensures seamless integration of testing into organizational procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Athens, WI, provides affordable options and swift result processing.
Our competitive pricing delivers excellent value for businesses of all sizes.

With fast turnaround times, the hair testing process is both cost-efficient and time-saving.
Employers benefit from timely and budget-friendly testing solutions, enhancing organizational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer swift and precise results in Athens, WI. These tests excel in both accuracy and speed, ensuring substance use detection is both reliable and efficient.
With rapid processing times and high precision, hair tests provide a trustworthy solution for identifying drug use.

Hair follicle testing is remarkably accurate in detecting substances, leading to fewer false positives or negatives, ensuring dependable test outcomes.
Employers appreciate the reliability served by quick and accurate hair testing results, aiding in informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Athens, WI, are assured compliance with workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing.
This method enhances safety and reduces legal risks associated with failing to address substance use.

Utilizing hair testing fosters a drug-free environment, enhancing peace of mind for employers.
It reinforces efforts to maintain a safe and productive workforce, meeting both regulatory and safety standards.

Drug Testing Near Athens, WI

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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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