Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bennett, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the hair's growing strands. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can indicate substance use over a period of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, it's relatively hard to tamper with, and transportation is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) from closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample mass for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more extensive screenings beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest verifying the specimen's mass using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. The term "head hair" exclusively pertains to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a laboratory's records. This includes checking the sample’s seal and shipping integrity, assigning a randomised LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry unavailable via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening initiates a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical means of negating drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Samples that are initially positive in Screening require a secondary verification.

If a Screening stage sample is initially positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen to prepare for Extraction. Here, the drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing a rather challenging methodology to implement.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection duration.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is challenging to alter a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Shows historical usage: It reveals a drug use pattern over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent употребление: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bennett, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests with its superior detection and reliability. Hair tests have a broader detection range, providing a clearer overview of an individual's past substance use.

The accuracy of hair testing in detecting long-term drug use makes it the preferred choice over traditional urine tests, which may miss recent patterns of use.

Extended Detection Window

Bennett, WI employers benefit from hair follicle testing as it reveals drug use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window provides valuable insights into substance habits.

By assessing drug use history over months rather than days, hair tests give employers a thorough and detailed account of an applicant's or employee's substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Combating sample tampering is addressed effectively with hair follicle tests in Bennett, WI. These tests maintain their integrity due to being less susceptible to adulteration.

The staunch reliability of hair follicle testing stems from its design, ensuring that samples cannot be manipulated or compromised, thus delivering trustworthy results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessting hair follicle testing is straightforward with our nationwide centers and local sites in Bennett, WI. This widespread availability ensures testing services are just around the corner.

This convenience translates into easy, hassle-free access to essential drug screening services, reducing the stress and travel burden for all participants.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Bennett, WI, is designed to be simple and confidential. Each step, from ordering to receiving the results, ensures privacy and user-friendliness.

The ease with which one can engage in this process guarantees that concerns regarding confidentiality and simplicity are addressed effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitively priced hair follicle testing in Bennett, WI, we deliver fast turnaround times that present excellent value to organizations of all sizes.

Our efficient service coupled with affordability ensures businesses gain timely insights without straining their budgetary constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Bennett, WI, delivers fast, precise, and trustworthy results. The high level of accuracy in identifying substance use makes it a top choice for employers seeking reliable screening methods.

When time is of the essence, hair tests stand out by providing quick and accurate insights into substance abuse, offering peace of mind with minimal waiting.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Bennett, WI employers, hair follicle testing underscores compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating potential legal challenges and fostering a safer work environment.

Implementing hair testing nurtures peace of mind among employers as it safeguards businesses from drug misuse while supporting adherence to regulatory standards.

Drug Testing Near Bennett, WI

Brule, WI

Gordon, WI

Lakeside, WI

Blueberry, WI

South Range, WI

Wentworth, WI

Poplar, WI

Solon Springs, WI

Amnicon, WI

Lake Nebagamon, WI

Hines, WI

Hawthorne, WI

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews