Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lake Delton, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair embeds biomarkers within its strands, offering an extended profile of substance use. Sampling hair from near the scalp allows for a detection span of roughly 3 months for drugs and alcohol. Collection is straightforward, alteration is challenging, and shipment is simple.

A 1.5-inch segment composed of about 200 hair strands (approximately akin to a #2 pencil) sourced closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, an optimal quantity for analysis. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen weight is advised. It’s recommended to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, equivalent body hair may be utilized. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Conversely, body hair pertains to any non-scalp hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Processing of a laboratory drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the initial assimilation of a sample into a laboratory framework. Tasks include validating the sample's seal and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and supplementing any absent data not auto-populated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary rapid audit for drug substances. Though it is economically advantageous for eliminating drugs in most cases, a positive screening mandates confirmation for legal usage. All samples registering a tentative positive in Screening necessitate confirmatory analysis.

Should a Screening suggest a tentative positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are distilled from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Verification of any positive screen outcome is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptuous positive samples undergo cleaning before confirmation if required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and standards certified by ISO/IEC 17025.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments reveal drug use for up to 90 days, versus urine tests offering shorter detection spans.
• Resistance to manipulation: Hair drug testing proves challenging to subvert, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological drug use: It delineates drug usage patterns over time, beyond mere recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Incapability of detecting recent usage: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug evaluations incur higher costs relative to other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often mistakenly called "hair follicle tests," the examination targets the hair strand rather than the subscalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lake Delton, WI, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities. While urine tests might miss patterns of chronic substance use, hair testing excels in providing a broader drug-use history, achieving greater accuracy. This level of reliability caters to employers' needs for comprehensive assessments of candidates and employees.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Lake Delton, WI appreciate the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing, which reveals drug usage over a span of up to 90 days. This comprehensive overview assists them in making well-informed decisions on potential hires or current staff, showcasing the effectiveness of this method over other testing alternatives that fail to capture long-term substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

By utilizing the hair follicle test in Lake Delton, WI, the risk of tampering is significantly minimized. The robust nature of this method ensures that samples remain secure and free from adulteration, giving definitive and trustworthy outcomes. Companies can rely on this process to obtain a clear and unbiased account of drug use, promoting integrity in testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents and businesses in Lake Delton, WI enjoy unparalleled convenience through our extensive network of testing centers. The ease of accessing locations nationwide and locally simplifies the logistics of drug testing, making it a quick and stress-free experience. Our centers prioritize efficiency and accessibility, ensuring satisfaction throughout the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lake Delton, WI, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. Ordering and receiving results is hassle-free, maintaining privacy at every stage. This simplicity reassures clients, allowing them to focus solely on the insights provided by the test without concern for complications.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair testing services in Lake Delton, WI cater to businesses of all sizes. We ensure exceptional value without compromising on quality, delivering prompt results that afford clients peace of mind. This blend of affordability and efficiency makes our testing services the go-to choice.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is prized in Lake Delton, WI for delivering precise and swift outcomes. Accuracy in recognizing substances makes it an ideal choice for those seeking dependable results. Its rapid processing ensures timely decision-making, whether for employment screenings or personal assessments, offering peace of mind with every test.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lake Delton, WI find solace in hair follicle testing due to its alignment with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces the risk of non-compliance but also augments employee safety, minimizing legal vulnerabilities. The reliability of hair testing ultimately supports maintaining a secure and compliant work environment.

Drug Testing Near Lake Delton, WI

Plainville, WI

Fairfield, WI

Dell Prairie, WI

Baraboo, WI

Dellona, WI

Newport, WI

Wisconsin Dells, WI

Delton, 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