Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Blueberry, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an impactful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged timeline for alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can present a detection period of up to about 90 days for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for evaluation and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used. When we talk about head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases involved in the lab analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into a lab's system. This process verifies that the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any other data input not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach for ruling out drug use in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Any samples showing a presumptive positive outcome in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, a larger portion of the initial specimen is used for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than in other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Supplies historical usage data: Provides a timeline of drug usage over a duration, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually assesses the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Blueberry, WI, the benefits of hair follicle testing surpass traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer a superior detection accuracy, proving indispensable for employers and organizations. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a broader perspective on drug use, detecting substances long after use.

The reliability of hair testing makes it favored by many over urine tests. Its comprehensive analysis offers a detailed account of substance exposure, creating a clearer picture. Thus, the decision to opt for hair testing over urine analysis becomes evident due to its advanced detection capabilities.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that is unmatched in Blueberry, WI. Employers benefit from a broad view of an applicant's drug use history, up to 90 days. This comprehensive assessment allows for a deeper understanding of an individual’s patterns.
The capability of detecting drugs over several months is a pivotal advantage for organizations keen on maintaining strict substance policies. It provides a historical perspective that urine tests cannot.

With a detection period extending up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers unmatched insights into a person's drug history. In Blueberry, WI, this method is becoming increasingly popular for its ability to detect prolonged substance use, proving essential for thorough evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-resistant testing methods, like the hair follicle drug test, greatly reduce the chances of sample tampering in Blueberry, WI. With this approach, employers receive reliable and trustworthy outcomes, ensuring consistency in maintaining drug-free work environments.

With hair follicle testing, attempts to alter test outcomes are significantly minimized, providing more secure and dependable results. This is essential for upholding the integrity of drug-testing policies and making informed employment decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience offered through our nationwide testing locations extends to Blueberry, WI, ensuring easy access to our services. With centers scattered across the country, the process is made quick and hassle-free for our clients.
Having accessible locations simplifies testing procedures, ensuring minimal downtime and stress. Individuals and organizations benefit tremendously from the logistical ease, enhancing their overall testing experience.

With testing centers conveniently located throughout Blueberry, WI, and nationwide, individuals and employers find our service accessible and easy to use. This widespread availability ensures that conducting necessary drug tests doesn't become a cumbersome ordeal.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Blueberry, WI, the process for hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential. Clients can effortlessly order tests, partake in sample collection, and receive results without compromising privacy. Our streamlined procedures ensure a hassle-free experience.
Furthermore, the confidential manner in which results are handled alleviates privacy concerns, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected. Clients can trust our process for reliability and discretion.

The simplicity of hair follicle testing in Blueberry, WI, assures users of a seamless interaction. From ordering to obtaining results, every step is designed with privacy in mind, guaranteeing utmost confidentiality and ease of use at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordability in Blueberry, WI, is ensured with our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing. Our fast turnaround times round off an excellent value proposition for employers of all sizes. By prioritizing efficiency, we deliver results swiftly.
Quick and affordable testing services ensure organizations uphold high standards without breaking the bank. The dual advantage of cost-effectiveness and speedy service enables widespread usage across diverse sectors.

Our affordable pricing structure combined with fast turnaround ensures exceptional value. Organizations in Blueberry, WI, can confidently rely on our services for timely and cost-efficient drug testing, optimizing value without sacrificing quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Blueberry, WI, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The high accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use makes them a preferred choice. Unlike other methods, the precision offered by hair testing ensures that all traces of drug usage are effectively detected.

Fast results are a crucial component when evaluating comprehensive drug tests. With hair follicle testing, individuals and employers benefit from swift and accurate outcomes, reinforcing their trust in this method. The reliability of hair testing is unparalleled, offering a dependable assessment of substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Blueberry, WI, find peace of mind through compliance assurance with workplace drug-free policies using hair follicle testing. This method curtails legal concerns and elevates workplace safety, proving indispensable for company standards.
Adoption of this approach not only ensures adherence to policies but also fosters a trustful and secure working atmosphere. The assurance that no stone is left unturned in drug enforcement brings tremendous relaxation to organizational stakeholders.

Using hair follicle testing contributes to maintaining workplace safety and discipline in Blueberry, WI. By ensuring compliance with drug-free mandates, organizations significantly decrease the likelihood of legal disputes, reinforcing employee safety and peace of mind.

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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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