Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fontana, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is an effective method for identifying substance use, acting as a long-term tracker by embedding drug and alcohol biomarkers within hair strands. Collected from near the scalp, hair can unveil a 3-month usage history of alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, resistant to tampering, and convenient to mail.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil), yields about 100mg, suitable for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Utilize a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In cases where scalp hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair may be taken. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result involves four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is first processed into the laboratory’s system. This includes checking that the sample's seal and shipping are intact, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any other necessary details absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid evaluation for drug presence. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Samples positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If Screening suggests positivity, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at concentrations less than those in other types (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated against both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days earlier, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection scope.
• Hard to manipulate: Avoiding deception in a hair drug test is tough, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological usage data: Offers a time-patterned drug use history, unlike recent-use tests.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: Drugs become noticeable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair might be influenced by factors like hair color and individual growth differences.

Note: Though termed "hair follicle tests", these tests inspect the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fontana, WI, hair follicle testing is undeniably superior to traditional urine testing methods. This approach offers enhanced detection accuracy and dependability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests track drug use over an extended period, providing a more comprehensive report. Employers and institutions favor hair testing for its ability to reveal a deeper understanding of an individual's substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing, in Fontana, WI, offers a long detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This extensive coverage means employers can get a full view of an individual's past substance use, offering greater trust in hiring decisions. By extending beyond short-term usage, hair testing provides an in-depth overview of an applicant or employee’s substance history, invaluable for maintaining a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Fontana, WI, dramatically slash the chances of sample tampering. With its strong resistance to adulteration, this testing method ensures unquestionable results that cannot be easily brought into doubt. The physical nature of hair samples makes alterations extremely challenging, offering total reliability and a secure testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous convenient testing locations across the country, including Fontana, WI, our service ensures easy access to hair follicle tests. National reach combined with local availability makes the process quick and efficient, removing any hassle from obtaining necessary drug screenings. Customers appreciate the seamless experience offered through wide-spanning, accessible centers.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fontana, WI, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, privacy concerns are carefully addressed. This secure system ensures users can rely on a hassle-free and discreet process, making participation in drug testing a worry-free experience, upholding personal dignity and confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Fontana, WI, boasts hair follicle testing with affordable rates and swift results. This combination of competitive pricing and rapid turnaround provides outstanding value for organizations of any scale, ensuring peace of mind without exorbitant costs. By offering efficiency and cost-effectiveness, businesses can conduct necessary drug screenings effortlessly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Fontana, WI, yields precise and reliable results promptly. With its excellent accuracy in detecting substance use, this method ensures a high level of testing integrity, providing clear results quickly. Employers and authorities trust these tests for their ability to deliver results that can truly reflect an individual's drug use history without long waiting periods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Fontana, WI, hair follicle testing fosters compliance and tranquility for employers by ensuring adherence to drug-free guidelines. Using this testing approach significantly diminishes legal vulnerabilities while boosting workplace safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their drug policies are enforced soundly and consistently, minimizing risk and promoting a clean working environment.

Drug Testing Near Fontana, WI

Lyons, WI

Sugar Creek, WI

Lake Ivanhoe, WI

Bloomfield, WI

Pell Lake, WI

Sharon, WI

Elkhorn, WI

Darien, WI

Delavan, WI

Como, WI

Geneva, WI

Delavan Lake, WI

Lake Geneva, WI

Williams Bay, WI

Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, 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