Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bloomington, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for detecting substance use, including alcohol. Hair retains a timeline of drug and alcohol biomarkers within its growing fibers. When samples are taken from near the scalp, the detection window extends up to around three months. The collection process is straightforward, making it hard to tamper and easy to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp, yields about 100mg—an optimal sample size for inspection and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels over 10, a 150mg portion is advisable. It's suggested to weigh samples using a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we refer to scalp hair specifically, while body hair encompasses other types (facial, armpit, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for a drug test outcome involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This process confirms the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry that an electronic custody chain doesn't handle.

Screening is a preliminary, swift assessment for substance use. Although economical for excluding drug use in most cases, any positive screening outcome must be validated for legal admissibility. Samples that screen as presumptively positive necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted and readied for further analysis in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are gleaned from hair at lower concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.

To confirm positive Screening outcomes, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Samples that are presumptively positive undergo a washing process before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal substance use up to 90 days prior, contrasting with the shorter window for urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: The potential for cheating a hair drug test is minimal, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical insight: It reveals an extended pattern of drug use, rather than merely recent activities.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative methods.
• Outcome variability: Hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," this analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bloomington, WI

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests boast a longer detection window, increasing their effectiveness in identifying patterns of drug use. Additionally, the process is less intrusive and provides an advantage in environments requiring stringent drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bloomington, WI

With hair follicle testing, detection extends up to 90 days, offering employers a thorough view of an individual's substance history. This extended window is invaluable for gaining insights into long-term behavior rather than recent use alone, providing a broader context for evaluating an employee or applicant's history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bloomington, WI

Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the likelihood of sample tampering, providing reliable and definitive outcomes. This method's strict collection protocols reinforce its security, ensuring the validity of the sample and the accuracy of its results, thereby enhancing confidence in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bloomington, WI

Our extensive network of testing centers guarantees seamless access to drug testing services across the nation. This local presence ensures that Bloomington residents can swiftly and easily undertake hair follicle tests, streamlining the process and eliminating geographic hurdles for our clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bloomington, WI

The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and maintains confidentiality throughout. From ordering to sample collection and receiving results, every step is designed to respect privacy. This approach addresses concerns about discretion and accessibility, making it simple for users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bloomington, WI

We offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for our hair follicle tests, presenting excellent value for businesses of various sizes. This ensures both affordability and prompt delivery of results, empowering companies to proceed with confidence.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bloomington, WI

Hair follicle drug testing is known for its precision, providing fast and reliable results. This method ensures high accuracy, making it an ideal choice for detecting substance use. The meticulous nature of hair testing helps maintain the integrity of results, thus supporting sound decision-making in various settings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bloomington, WI

Implementing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, lowering legal risks and boosting workplace safety. This method enhances confidence for employers by verifying compliance and preventative measures regarding substance use, generating peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Bloomington, WI

South Lancaster, WI

Lancaster, WI

Bridgeport, WI

North Lancaster, WI

Mount Ida, WI

Bagley, WI

Glen Haven, WI

Mount Hope, WI

Beetown, WI

Patch Grove, WI

Little Grant, 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.

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