Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cable, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers capture biomarkers within the growing strand, offering a timeline of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can detect drug and alcohol use within an approximate three-month timeframe. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to alter, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" includes hair of other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab system, involving confirmation that the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry outside of an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary inspection for illicit drugs. While this is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive result must be verified to be legally acceptable. Any samples tentatively positive in Screening need subsequent confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positive results during the Screening phase, additional hair is obtained from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a particularly challenging technique.

Confirmation of any positive screening result utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumed positive samples are washed as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test proves challenging, increasing the accuracy of results.
• Tracks historical usage: Provides a record of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Detection in hair takes around 5-7 days post-drug use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the testing examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair vs. Urine: In Cable, WI, hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests, offering superior accuracy. Unlike urine tests that focus on recent drug usage, hair tests provide insights over extended periods, making them invaluable for employers who desire a clear understanding of an employee's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window: In Cable, WI, hair follicle tests provide drug use history over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This extended detection offers employers a comprehensive view of substance use, crucial for assessing the reliability and consistency of potential or existing employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Method: In Cable, WI, the reliability of hair follicle tests lies in their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methods, these tests minimize opportunities for adulteration, thereby ensuring results that are both reliable and authentic, providing employers with confidence in the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Centers: In Cable, WI, and across the nation, our extensive network of testing centers provides seamless access to hair follicle testing services. With numerous locations, we ensure the process is quick and trouble-free, enhancing the overall testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential: In Cable, WI, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and respects privacy. Ordering and undergoing tests, as well as obtaining results, is seamless and confidential, addressing any concerns related to privacy while reinforcing ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable and Fast: In Cable, WI, we emphasize economic pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle testing, offering great value for all business sizes. This cost-effective and efficient approach ensures that organizations benefit from reliable testing without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Cable, WI, stand out for their swift and reliable results. Their strength lies in their ability to accurately identify substance use, giving clear insights free from the typical issues faced by other testing methods. With high accuracy and prompt results, these tests are trusted by many for ensuring a drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance: By adopting hair follicle testing in Cable, WI, employers can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances safety, offering peace of mind by upholding compliance norms and creating a safer work environment.

Drug Testing Near Cable, WI

Mason, WI

Clam Lake, WI

Delta, WI

Little Round Lake, WI

Hayward, WI

Barnes, WI

Round Lake, WI

Grandview, WI

Namekagon, WI

Namakagon, WI

Spider Lake, WI

Lenroot, WI

Drummond, 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