Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dalton, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an efficient method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term biomarker data by incorporating them into the fibers of the growing strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for analysis and verification. For additional tests such as EtG, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be procured. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory's system. This step includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any data entry not already captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a confirmed result is essential for legal admissibility. Samples with a presumptive positive result during screening require a secondary confirmation.

In cases where a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging method to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that have a briefer detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: The accuracy of hair drug testing is high due to the difficulty in evading the test.
• Provides historical data: It offers insight into drug usage patterns over a span, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: There is a delay of approximately 5-7 days before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug testing incurs higher expenses than other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be influenced by factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth rates.

Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the subscalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Dalton, WI stands out due to its outstanding detection accuracy compared to urine tests. It provides a comprehensive history of substance use, surpassing the limited timeframe of urine tests.

Unlike urine testing, hair samples are not easily tampered with, thereby guaranteeing consistent results. This makes hair testing a more viable choice for organizations aiming for reliable drug detection.

Extended Detection Window

For employers in Dalton, WI, hair follicle testing offers a significantly broader detection window of drug use, extending up to 90 days. This advantage provides a detailed overview of an individual’s past substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Dalton, WI, hair follicle tests offer a highly tamper-resistant method of drug testing. The risk of sample adulteration or substitution, as seen in urine tests, is drastically reduced.

This testing technique safeguards the integrity of the process, providing results that are both reliable and irrefutable. Employers can confidently rely on these outcomes to enforce strict policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Dalton, WI, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access with our widespread network of testing centers. Equipped with nationwide locations, we offer convenient and prompt service to meet everyone’s needs.

Whether you're in Dalton or elsewhere, our accessible centers guarantee hassle-free testing experiences for all, enhancing the reach and ease of conducting drug tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Dalton, WI, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, administering, and receiving results is streamlined and ensures privacy, addressing any concerns about confidentiality.

This user-friendly process is designed to be accessible to all, offering peace of mind and making the testing procedure straightforward from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle drug testing in Dalton, WI offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround. Businesses of all sizes benefit from excellent value and can trust in knowing results will be delivered swiftly and accurately.

The blend of affordability and quality service ensures organizations enjoy the best of both worlds, maintaining budget efficiency while gaining critical insights into substance use.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug testing method provides swift and trustworthy results in Dalton, WI. With a focus on precision, this technique accurately reveals substance usage, ensuring no detail is overlooked in the analysis.

Employing state-of-the-art technology, hair testing delivers results faster than traditional methods. This ensures quick decision-making for both employers and individuals concerned with substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Dalton, WI helps employers ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies, enhancing overall safety. By doing so, they also mitigate potential legal risks associated with drug use on the job.

This testing method not only upholds policy integrity but also grants peace of mind, knowing that all employees are tested through a rigorous and unbiased process.

Drug Testing Near Dalton, WI

Moundville, WI

Randolph, WI

Courtland, WI

Wyocena, WI

Markesan, WI

Fort Winnebago, WI

Montello, WI

Mecan, WI

Pardeeville, WI

Cambria, WI

Friesland, WI

Manchester, WI

Marcellon, WI

Buffalo, WI

Kingston, 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