Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Levis, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is acknowledged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand in growth. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can supply up to nearly a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, moderately resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion containing roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not present, a similar quantity of body hair may be obtained. Regarding head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages involved in the laboratory processing of a drug testing outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This comprises verifying that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial swift examination for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to dismiss drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be permissible in legal proceedings. Samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at low concentration levels compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug scrutiny the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection timeframe: Hair drug assessments can identify substance use for as long as 90 days, compared to urine examinations which possess a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty in cheating: It is extremely difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, rendering the findings more precise.
• Offers historical data: It can depict a pattern of drug utilization over a duration, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments typically have a higher cost compared to other drug examination methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation actually inspects the hair strand and not the hair follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Levis, WI, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests are clear. Hair tests provide superior detection with an extended window, while urine tests are limited to recent usage. This makes hair testing a more robust choice for employers seeking thorough evaluations of substance use.

The use of hair follicle testing in Levis offers employers more reliable results compared to urine tests. With a superior detection period, hair tests uncover habitual use over months, not days, thus offering a more comprehensive view of an individual’s history.

Extended Detection Window

In Levis, WI, hair follicle testing stands out due to its extended detection period, up to 90 days. This comprehensive testing scope offers employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s drug use history. Unlike urine tests, which provide a short-term snapshot, hair testing reveals prolonged substance habits.

Employers in Levis benefit from the 90-day window provided by hair follicle testing. This extensive detection period enables organizations to assess the long-term substance use of employees or candidates, ensuring more informed, reliable hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing methodology in Levis, WI, significantly diminishes the risk of sample adulteration. This tamper-resistant approach ensures that the results are authentic and indisputable, safeguarding the integrity of drug testing results.

Choosing hair follicle tests in Levis helps mitigate the risks of sample tampering. The test's design makes altering results nearly impossible, providing employers with confidence in the accuracy of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers, including in Levis, WI, the availability of our facilities offers convenience nationwide. These accessible locations guarantee easy access to drug testing services, minimizing hassle for individuals and companies alike.

Offering both local and nationwide center access, our network ensures fast and hassle-free testing in Levis, WI. The extensive coverage allows flexible and quick testing services, easing the process for clients and enhancing accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Levis, WI, is simple and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving results, the process is designed to ensure ease and privacy, addressing any concerns with clear, straightforward steps.

Clients in Levis benefit from a private and easy-to-use testing procedure. Our approach respects user confidentiality while offering effortless ordering, testing, and result delivery, fitting seamlessly into daily routines without compromising on discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Levis, WI, our testing service provides affordable pricing complemented by fast turnaround times. This combination ensures excellent value, supplying companies of various sizes peace of mind with efficiency and budget-friendly solutions.

Our competitive pricing in Levis, paired with quick result delivery, offers substantial benefits. This balance of cost-effectiveness and rapid service contributes to significant value, delivering prompt and affordable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Levis, WI, hair follicle drug tests excel in both speed and accuracy. They deliver precise results quickly, making them ideal for employers seeking reliable substance use detection. The high level of precision in hair testing significantly reduces uncertainty in results, ensuring dependable outcomes every time.

Hair follicle testing in Levis offers unparalleled accuracy, detecting even small traces of substance use. The method's ability to rapidly identify substances translates to faster decisions for employers. This swift and reliable accuracy helps maintain a drug-free environment efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Levis, WI, find peace of mind using hair follicle testing for compliance with drug-free workplace initiatives. The thorough and accurate testing method reduces legal risks, helping businesses remain compliant with regulations and contribute to a safer work environment.

The implementation of hair follicle testing in Levis provides employers confidence in policy adherence. Ensuring workplace safety by mitigating the risk of drug use, these tests offer peace of mind through their rigorous and reliable detection capabilities.

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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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