Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harrison, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has gained a reputation as an effective means for spotting drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a detailed history of substances by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. By collecting hair near the scalp, one can achieve an approximate 3-month detection window for substances like alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and it's easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion comprising roughly 200 strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and tests greater than 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair indicates any other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The essential stages in lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where the sample is processed into the lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is the initial step to quickly check for substances of misuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient solution to rule out drug use in the majority of cases, any positive results require confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Presumptive positives from Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at considerably lower concentrations from hair compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening a challenging method.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumptive for positivity undergo washing as necessary prior to confirmation. This comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Expanded detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower scope.
• Difficulty in tampering: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks long-term patterns: It shows a timeline of drug use over time, not just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Lacks detection of recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally costs more than alternative methods.
• Variable outcomes: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth rates may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Harrison, WI, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine testing. Why does hair testing excel? It provides superior accuracy and reliability in detecting drug use over extended periods. Unlike urine tests, which are effective for recent drug use, hair tests offer a broader detection window, making them a preferred choice for many organizations enforcing drug-free policies.

Benefits of Hair Testing
Employers seeking stringent drug policies benefit significantly from hair testing. With its longer detection period, it offers a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug history. Unlike urine tests, which are limited to a shorter timeframe, hair tests examine substance use over the past 90 days, providing superior assurance for employers.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Harrison, WI, is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, hair tests can detect drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This provides employers with a comprehensive view of a potential or current employee's substance use history, offering valuable insights for informed decision-making.

By using hair testing, organizations gain the advantage of understanding long-term drug use patterns. This extended window surpasses the limited timeframe of urine tests, which only detect recent substance use, offering a thorough examination over a much longer duration.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Harrison, WI, hair follicle tests offer a significant reduction in the risk of sample tampering. How? A key benefit is their tamper-resistant nature, ensuring reliable outcomes that are hard to question. The observed collection process prevents interference, providing peace of mind to employers relying on trustworthy results.

Security is paramount, and hair tests excel in this area. Unlike urine tests, which might be manipulated, hair samples are nearly impossible to adulterate, offering a robust method for screening and increasing the faith employers can place in the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient locations nationwide, our testing services in Harrison, WI, ensure easy access for all. What's the benefit? Our widespread centers offer straightforward and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing, guaranteeing a seamless experience for all clients. Whether local or national, our facilities are equipped to meet your testing needs efficiently.

Clients appreciate the accessibility and convenience of our testing centers, contributing to a stress-free process. Our nationwide and local presence ensures services are available when and where they're needed, simplifying the testing journey.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Harrison, WI, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Why is this important? Security and ease of use are paramount throughout ordering, taking the test, and receiving results. Our streamlined approach addresses any privacy concerns, ensuring clients feel comfortable and reassured by the discreet and straightforward process.

Confidential and User-Friendly
We prioritize client privacy, providing a testing experience centered on peace of mind. With steps that guarantee confidentiality, each client can trust in the safe handling of their information, making the entire process stress-free and efficient.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in Harrison, WI, offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. What's the benefit? Companies of all sizes enjoy the value of our affordable options without compromising on quality or speed, receiving excellent service that ensures satisfaction and timely results.

Accessible pricing doesn't mean sacrificing quality. Our tests deliver rapid results, supporting businesses in managing drug screening efficiently without straining budgets. This balance of cost-effectiveness and quick turnarounds meets the needs of organizations, large or small.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Harrison, WI, our hair follicle drug tests deliver quick, precise, and reliable outcomes. Why choose hair testing? Its accuracy in detecting substances is unmatched, ensuring employers receive dependable results. The method's speed means expedited decision-making processes, supporting businesses in maintaining a safe, drug-free environment.

Swift and Precise
Employers can trust hair testing's reliability and rapid turnaround times. This means prompt actions can be taken, ensuring substance issues are identified and addressed swiftly. Its precision ensures that detected substances are accurately confirmed, instilling confidence in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Harrison, WI, seeking to adhere to drug-free workplace policies can benefit enormously from hair follicle testing. Why choose hair testing? It ensures compliance, mitigating potential legal troubles while boosting workplace safety. With hair testing, employers can confidently enforce policies, reducing risks associated with substance use.

Enhancing Workplace Assurance
Hair tests help in maintaining organizational integrity by providing reliable results that support zero-tolerance stances against drug use. This not only safeguards the workplace but also contributes to legal protection and enhances employee well-being.

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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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