Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bellevue Town, WI

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing is increasingly regarded as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the threads of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month span for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch length containing about 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for evaluating and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, it's advisable to collect 150mg of the sample. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair. "Body hair" denotes all other hair varieties (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, initial processing of a sample into the lab's system occurs. This entails verification of proper sample sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data recording not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substance misuse. Screening serves as a cost-efficient measure to exclude drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Presumptively positive Screening samples necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For Screening-stage presumptively positive samples, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), defining hair drug screening as the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can disclose drug usage for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing the accuracy of outcomes.
• Provides longitudinal data: It can portray drug use patterns over time, beyond immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Bellevue Town, WI, the benefits are clear. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can detect substance use over a longer period, up to 90 days, providing a more comprehensive view. This extensive detection window gives hair testing the edge in identifying long-term drug exposure.

Extended Detection Window

Bellevue Town, WI, benefits from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window, which covers drug use over approximately 90 days. This longevity in detection allows employers a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use history. By analyzing the hair, an entire scope of drug exposure can be determined, which urine tests may not provide due to their shorter detection time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Bellevue Town, WI, greatly minimizes the likelihood of sample adulteration. This method ensures that the results are both reliable and credible. The collection process makes it difficult to alter the specimens, providing organizations with trustworthy information on substance use. This reliability is essential for maintaining integrity in drug testing programs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local testing sites in Bellevue Town, WI, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward. Our testing centers offer seamless, hassle-free procedures, ensuring that individuals and employers can easily obtain the services they need. This widespread presence makes drug testing accessible, accommodating demands efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Bellevue Town, WI, is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving results, each step is designed for ease of use. This straightforward procedure ensures that clients have a discreet experience while obtaining necessary drug test outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bellevue Town, WI, our hair follicle drug testing services boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround. This combination delivers exceptional value for companies, regardless of size, by providing peace of mind through competitive costs and quick result delivery. Businesses can depend on our services for cost-effective and timely drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bellevue Town, WI, hair follicle drug testing is known for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of this method allows it to detect substance use with high accuracy. Hair tests provide a comprehensive analysis of drug use, ensuring dependable outcomes. This efficiency is crucial for employers who require definitive results quickly, maintaining workplace safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Bellevue Town, WI, offers compliance and peace of mind for employers. By adopting this method, companies can adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safe working environment. Hair tests provide the confidence needed to uphold regulations and protect workplace integrity.

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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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