Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fountain Prairie, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer around a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair samples are straightforward to obtain, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample with about 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp gathers 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is suggested. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, the same quantity of body hair can be retrieved. The term head hair pertains exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The core stages in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This step verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any necessary data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drug abuse. Though it is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive result from Screening must be verified to stand up in court. Samples that are presumptively positive from Screening require further confirmation.

If the Screening indicates a presumptively positive outcome, additional hair from the initial sample is extracted for the Extraction stage. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is challenging to implement.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used for the Confirmation of any positive result from Screening. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before the confirmation process if necessary. All aspects from Accessioning to Confirmation undergo review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to evade: Cheating on a hair drug test is considerably challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a timeline of drug consumption over a duration, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting very recent intake: Detection in hair takes about 5-7 days after drug use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Variation in outcomes: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", these assessments examine the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fountain Prairie, WI, the preference for hair follicle testing is underscored by its superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. The advantages of choosing hair tests include extensive detection windows and a robust resistance to falsification. In environments where zero-tolerance policies are enforced, hair follicle tests stand as a sentinel of truth, capturing a thorough history absent in urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In Fountain Prairie, WI, the fact that hair follicle testing can detect drug use for up to 90 days offers employers an in-depth view of an individual's substance history. This extensive window allows for a broader understanding of an individual’s lifestyle, providing a detailed account that surpasses the short-term scope of other testing methods. Such comprehensive coverage ensures that employers make informed decisions based on the full picture.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Fountain Prairie, WI, markedly minimize the chances of adulteration, delivering results that are both trustworthy and verifiable. This resistance to tampering is a crucial benefit that sets hair testing apart from traditional methods, where sample falsification can be a concern. A tamper-resistant approach ensures integrity, providing users complete trust in the findings shared.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Fountain Prairie, WI, and beyond, our nationwide testing facilities offer convenient access to services, ensuring a seamless experience. The expansive network allows quick and easy testing, eliminating the hassle of distant travel or long waits. With local and national locations, accessing testing becomes a straightforward process, ensuring efficiency without compromising on accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fountain Prairie, WI, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering to receiving results, each step is crafted for ease of use, ensuring that users find the experience both straightforward and secure. The streamlined procedure alleviates stress, paving the way for a discreet and seamless testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Fountain Prairie, WI, competitive pricing and quick turnaround times characterize our hair follicle testing services, offering affordability and reliability to businesses of all sizes. The swift processing ensures that decisions can be made promptly without compromising the value offered. Our pricing structures further ensure that testing remains accessible, providing peace of mind at a sustainable cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing offers unrivaled precision and speed in detecting substance use in Fountain Prairie, WI. With its high accuracy, employers and courts can rest assured of the results' reliability. Fast and accurate analysis transforms the process into an efficient task, facilitating timely decisions. Each test is conducted with the utmost precision, bolstering confidence in the results obtained.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Fountain Prairie, WI employers, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks. Employing such testing fortifies a clean working environment, offering compliance and peace of mind. Knowing that substance use is meticulously monitored helps foster a safe atmosphere, critical for maintaining both productivity and employee morale.

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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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