Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eagle, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can grant a detection period of up to around 90 days for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and verifying. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Measuring the sample weight on a jeweler's scale is recommended. If scalp hair is not present, a similar volume of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, we mean only scalp hair, whereas body hair includes other types (face, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s database. This process entails confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data that an electronic chain of custody system does not automatically provide.

Screening provides an initial swift assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Samples showing a preliminary positive result during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If initial Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, substances are drawn from hair at a notably lower concentration than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of conducting hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Every sample that tests presumptively positive undergoes washing before Confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assays can identify substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenge to deceive: Hair drug tests are notably challenging to subvert, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Historical insights: They provide a usage pattern over time and not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days post-use for substances to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to other testing approaches.
• Inconsistencies in concentrations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eagle, WI Hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy when compared to traditional urine tests. Employers and professionals choose it for its reliability and longer detection window, making it an ideal choice for systematic drug screening policies, providing a comprehensive look back at an individual's substance use over time.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eagle, WI A hair follicle test can track substance usage over an impressive term of up to 90 days. This longer detection period provides employers with a more detailed view of an employee's drug history, allowing well-informed decisions regarding hiring and ongoing employment, especially for environments requiring high safety standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eagle, WI One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing lies in its tamper-resistant nature. The risk of sample adulteration is significantly reduced since hair samples are directly observed during collection, ensuring genuine and indisputable results crucial for maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eagle, WI Our network of nationwide testing centers offers unmatched convenience, allowing quick and easy access to services. With local sites available, residents and companies in Eagle can utilize hassle-free hair follicle testing, ensuring continuity and efficiency in meeting their testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eagle, WI The process for ordering, executing, and retrieving hair follicle test results is straightforward and respects privacy. From start to finish, participants can trust in the confidentiality of our system, addressing any concerns related to privacy while providing seamless user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eagle, WI Our competitive pricing offers significant value for businesses of all sizes, paired with a fast turnaround time. Companies can efficiently budget for testing while benefiting from rapid results, ensuring they maintain comprehensive and timely substance monitoring within their organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eagle, WI Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their high precision and ability to quickly detect substance use. Substantial accuracy in identifying drug use makes these tests a go-to option for employers and institutions seeking reliable results. The swift processing ensures timely information, crucial for workplace or legal decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eagle, WI Implementing hair follicle testing ensures alignment with workplace drug-free policies, enhancing legal standing and workplace safety. Employers can enjoy reduced legal risks and foster a secure environment, knowing their drug screening processes are robust and compliant with contemporary standards.

Drug Testing Near Eagle, WI

Aurora, WI

Plum Lake, WI

Lily Lake, WI

Sayner, WI

Phelps, WI

Three Lakes, WI

St. Germain, WI

Conover, WI

Camp Lake, WI

Clearwater Lake, WI

Eagle River, 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