Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lafayette, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. It is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to adulteration, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal steps in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This covers confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective means to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be admissible in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for hair drug screening being the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is undertaken using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to cheat: It is very difficult to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over a timeframe, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drugs in the hair.

Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lafayette, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering notable advantages. While urine tests are commonly used, hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability. Benefits of Hair Testing:

• Detects a wider range of substances over an extended period.
• Eliminates potential manipulation seen in urine tests.
• Strong support from legal authorities and employers worldwide.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Lafayette, WI, detecting drug use is extended up to 90 days. Employers gain a comprehensive view of an individual’s past substance use. Key Advantages:

• Longer detection windows compared to conventional tests.
• Effective for identifying habitual or chronic drug use.
• Comprehensive insight for informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Lafayette, WI is resistant to tampering, thus enhancing reliability. The method’s design reduces the risk of sample adulteration:

• Observer collection minimizes risk of contamination.
• Unquestionable results deliver peace of mind.
• Trusted by judicial and corporate entities alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Lafayette, WI, the availability of convenient testing locations makes the process seamless. Our nationwide network ensures prompt service:

• Testing centers accessible across the country.
• Lafayette locations cater to community needs.
• Harassment-free and convenient testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Lafayette, WI is both simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use and privacy.

• Effortless ordering process with transparency.
• Discrete and secure testing environment.
• Results delivered with confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Lafayette, WI, offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle testing. This approach provides excellent value for companies of all sizes:

• Competitive pricing structures adaptable to budgets.
• Quick turnaround times for result delivery.
• Addresses financial concerns for business leaders.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Offering fast, accurate, and reliable results, hair follicle drug tests in Lafayette, WI, stand out for their precision. The technology behind these tests ensures high accuracy in detecting various substances, providing prompt results.

• Efficient in processing samples without delay.
• Ideal for employers seeking quick turns on critical employment decisions.
• Accurate depiction of an individual's substance use history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lafayette, WI achieve compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing. Maintaining a drug-free workplace becomes seamless, minimizing legal risks.

• Ensures adherence to corporate policies.
• Fosters a safe, productive environment.
• Conforms to industry regulations.

Drug Testing Near Lafayette, WI

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Ludington, WI

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Jim Falls, WI

Cadott, WI

Lake Hallie, WI

Chippewa Falls, WI

Anson, WI

Lake Wissota, 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.

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