Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chain O' Lakes, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair strands provide an extended record of drug and alcohol exposure by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for the specimen's measurement. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal stages in the lab handling of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the sample’s initial entry into a laboratory's framework. This step confirms the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes a preliminary swift assessment for commonly abused substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient way to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for it to stand in legal proceedings. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

When a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the original specimen and set up for Extraction. During this phase, substances are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most challenging procedure to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair recognition and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot catch recent usage: It takes approximately 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variation: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In the realm of drug testing, hair follicle tests offer a significant edge over traditional urine tests in Chain O' Lakes, WI. Benefits of hair testing include its superior ability to detect substance use with more precision and reliability. While urine tests cover only short timeframes, hair tests extend this range, making them indispensable for employers wanting a thorough assessment of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Chain O' Lakes, WI, is exceptional due to its ability to track drug use over extended periods of up to 90 days. For employers, this means gaining a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use history. This extended detection window provides crucial insights, helping employers make informed decisions regarding workplace suitability and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Chain O' Lakes, WI, present a tamper-resistant testing method unmatched by others. This process greatly minimizes the risks of sample adulteration, providing reliable and unquestionable results. Hair tests ensure the integrity of the testing process, offering security and peace of mind for those seeking accurate assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our network of testing centers, both nationwide and locally in Chain O' Lakes, WI, offers unparalleled convenience. With easy access to these facilities, customers experience quick and seamless testing services, eliminating the hassle often associated with drug testing. Our widespread locations ensure the availability and prompt service that both individuals and businesses can trust.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Chain O' Lakes, WI, is designed to be simple and confidential. From placing an order to receiving the results, every step is streamlined to enhance privacy and ease of use. We address any concerns regarding confidentiality, ensuring clients feel secure throughout their interaction with our services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Chain O' Lakes, WI, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing alongside a fast turnaround time. Businesses of all sizes value our affordability and efficient service, receiving excellent value and peace of mind. Our pricing structures are designed to cater to various needs, ensuring that quality testing remains accessible to everyone.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Chain O' Lakes, WI, hair follicle drug tests shine with their quick, accurate, and reliable results. These tests stand out for their ability to detect substance use with exceptional precision, leaving no room for doubt. With their high accuracy in identifying a range of substances, they provide businesses and individuals with the confidence and assurance they seek in maintaining a drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Chain O' Lakes, WI, empowers employers to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and strengthens workplace safety. Hair testing supports businesses in upholding their zero-tolerance policies, contributing to a more secure and confident work environment for all employees.

Drug Testing Near Chain O' Lakes, WI

West Bloomfield, WI

Amherst Junction, WI

Weyauwega, WI

Rose, WI

Saxeville, WI

Ogdensburg, WI

St. Lawrence, WI

Amherst, WI

Scandinavia, WI

Springwater, WI

Lind, WI

Lanark, WI

Sheridan, WI

King, WI

Chain O' Lakes-King, 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