Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bridge Creek, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair acts as a record of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers in the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair offers up to around a 3-month window for alcohol and other drug detection. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat tough to tamper with, and straightforward to ship.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil size) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests over 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, the same quantity of body hair can be collected. Reference to head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages involved in lab-based drug test result processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This entails checking that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, quick inspection for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical means to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be legally admissible. Any samples that screen presumptively positive do need a secondary confirmation.

If a specimen screens presumptively positive, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is viewed as the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection window: Hair drug tests can recognize drug use over up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a narrower detection window.
• Hard to deceive: It is exceedingly difficult to falsify a hair drug test, thus enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Provides historical insight: It can reveal a drug use pattern over an extended duration, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For residents of Bridge Creek, WI, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over urine tests. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy, outlasting the 90-day detection period unavailable in urine testing. This ensures that drug usage is more comprehensively documented, offering a clearer picture for employers and legal authorities when making critical decisions regarding employee conduct or legal actions.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection capability of hair follicle testing makes it a vital resource in Bridge Creek, WI. Unlike traditional methods, hair follicle tests can identify drug usage that stretches back up to 90 days. This feature allows employers to fully grasp the long-term substance habits of their workforce or applicants, creating a safer and more transparent working environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bridge Creek, WI, hair follicle drug tests provide an effective defense against tampering. Unlike some other forms of drug testing, hair tests are notably tamper-resistant. This reliability ensures that the results are credible, making any attempted sample adulteration largely ineffective. Employers can trust the outcomes, which helps in maintaining a transparent and fair workplace.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Accredited Drug Testing, Bridge Creek, WI, residents can enjoy the convenience of numerous testing centers nationwide for hair follicle tests. Our network ensures accessibility, so quick and reliable testing is always within reach. Whether local or across the nation, finding a center nearby is straightforward, facilitating easy participation in required testing procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bridge Creek, WI, the hair follicle testing procedure is both straightforward and confidential. Our user-friendly process ensures that ordering, conducting, and receiving test results is seamless. Privacy is prioritized throughout, which provides peace of mind to those undergoing testing while maintaining the integrity and ease of the entire experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Bridge Creek, WI,
offers affordable pricing for our prompt hair follicle drug testing services. Companies can benefit from competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times, ensuring high value without stretching budgets. Our services are tailored to fit organizations of all sizes, providing quality testing that is both economical and efficient.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bridge Creek, WI, hair follicle drug tests offer quick and precise results. The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance usage is unparalleled, ensuring a trustworthy outcome. Compared to other testing options, the rapidity with which results are processed is a standout feature, making the entire procedure timely and effective for both individuals and organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Bridge Creek, WI, brings assurance and compliance to employers. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies through reliable hair tests, legal risks are reduced significantly. This contributes to a safer, more productive work environment, offering peace of mind knowing that thorough and enforceable policies protect the organization and its employees.

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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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