Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cecil, WI

What it is, How it works

The analysis of hair is an increasingly effective approach for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. A growing hair strand traps biomarkers within its fibers, offering a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs. If taken near the scalp, hair can detect substances for a period of up to three months. This method of collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A standard 1.5-inch section, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in width to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirming results. For additional EtG, add-ons, and/or any panels exceeding ten, a sample weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for accuracy. In cases where scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. The reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The drug testing process in a lab encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab’s database. This step includes confirming the sample’s seal and shipment integrity, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry that isn't managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening phase involves a rapid preliminary test for substances of abuse. Although screening cost-effectively dismisses drug use in most cases, any positive screen must be validated for it to hold up legally. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to undergo Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why performing hair drug screening is notably labor-intensive.

The Confirmation of any positive results from the screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The complete lab sequence from Accessioning through Confirmation is audited in alignment with both CAP’s (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug consumption for as long as 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that have a shorter detection timeline.
• Reduced likelihood of tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, which enhances result accuracy.
• Historical usage insight: Provides a record of drug consumption over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent detection: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug screening often incurs more cost in comparison to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variations such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration levels in hair.

Note: While the term "hair follicle tests" is common, the actual test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Cecil, WI, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests by providing superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing boasts a wider detection window, offering insights into an individual's substance use history over several months, unlike urine tests which are limited to a few days.

Hair testing also eliminates the risk of tampering, a common concern with urine tests. This method delivers reliable results, essential for maintaining a drug-free workplace or complying with legal requirements, offering more comprehensive and dependable data for decision-making.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Cecil, WI, offers an extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of substance use history. This makes it a valuable tool for employers needing a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's drug habits over an extended period.

This method provides a significant advantage over shorter detection periods of other tests, ensuring employers in Cecil make informed decisions by accessing long-term substance use patterns, aiding in establishing a safer, more productive work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Cecil, WI, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the risk of adulterated sample submissions. The test involves direct hair collection, ensuring the integrity of the sample and minimizing the possibility of deception.

This method's resistance to tampering provides reliable and unquestionable results, vital for industries and entities where accuracy and fairness in drug testing are paramount. This reliable testing process ensures peace of mind for employers and authorities alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Cecil, WI benefits from convenient testing locations nationwide, ensured by our extensive network. Our centers are strategically located for easy access, offering hassle-free drug testing services without delays.

These conveniently placed centers allow quick testing procedures, minimizing downtime and providing efficient service to meet the demand for reliable hair follicle testing, supporting both local businesses and individuals in Cecil.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cecil, WI, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use while maintaining privacy. Designed for user convenience, individuals can order, partake in, and receive results without any hassle.

This streamlined process addresses privacy concerns, enabling a stress-free experience that upholds confidentiality at every stage, ensuring that clients in Cecil feel secure and comfortable throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Cecil, WI, provide great value. Our efficient processes ensure rapid results without sacrificing accuracy, meeting the needs of businesses of all sizes.

Our cost-effective approach ensures that companies can adopt comprehensive drug testing without excessive costs, facilitating high-quality, affordable results that enhance compliance and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cecil, WI, hair follicle testing is renowned for its swift and accurate drug detection capabilities. This testing method ensures quick and precise results, making it an ideal choice for those needing reliable screening. The high accuracy of hair follicle tests is unsurpassed, effectively identifying substance use with minimal margins for error.

Employing cutting-edge technology, our testing centers in Cecil deliver rapid results without compromising precision. With quick processing times, hair tests offer a dependable option for individuals and businesses alike, underscoring our commitment to quality in drug screening services.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Cecil, WI, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, substantially reducing legal risks. This robust testing method enhances workplace safety, offering employers peace of mind.

Deploying hair tests demonstrates a commitment to a safe, drug-free environment, supporting compliance with industry standards and regulations, and fostering a culture of responsibility and diligence among 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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