Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Middle Inlet, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust mechanism for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair offers an extended historical record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10-panel testing, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal compliance. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening need further confirmation.

For samples preliminarily positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is among the most complex methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter window.
• Difficult to deceive: Given the challenge of falsifying a hair drug test, results tend to be more reliable.
• Delivers historical insights: It offers a timeline of drug use over a prolonged period, not just recent activities.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of capturing recent use: Detecting drugs in hair takes around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests are pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth rates can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often cited as "hair follicle tests", the actual test assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Middle Inlet, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its extended detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests which may only detect recent drug use, hair tests allow for a detection window of up to 90 days, offering a more comprehensive screening solution.

Moreover, the accuracy and reliability of hair testing make it a superior option. Hair samples are difficult to adulterate, and the observed collection process ensures the integrity of the test, giving employers peace of mind in obtaining authentic results.

Extended Detection Window

Middle Inlet, WI, benefits from the extended detection window that hair follicle testing offers. This method can trace drug use for up to 90 days, vastly longer than what standard tests provide, offering a thorough review of one's substance history.

Employers find value in this, as it provides a more complete picture of an individual’s drug use habits, ensuring informed decision-making when assessing potential hires or monitoring current employees. This long-term overview is crucial in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Middle Inlet, WI, offer a tamper-resistant solution, minimizing the chances of sample adulteration. These tests maintain integrity by collecting samples in an observed environment, leaving no room for manipulation.

The foolproof nature of hair testing makes it ideal for reliable screening needs. With stringent protocols in place, organizations can trust the results, ensuring a credible assessment of candidates or current employees regarding substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing in Middle Inlet, WI, provides the convenience of widespread access to testing centers nationwide. With local facilities available, individuals and companies experience hassle-free testing processes, ensuring timely and efficient drug screening services.

Our extensive network means residents and businesses in Middle Inlet, WI, can access testing without unnecessary delays, supported by a seamless service that meets local and national demands.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Middle Inlet, WI, is both simple and private, focusing on confidentiality and ease of use. Clients can readily order tests, participate in collection, and receive results smoothly, with their privacy assured at all stages.

This straightforward approach addresses any privacy concerns, putting individuals at ease while ensuring a reliable screening process. Our streamlined procedures reflect our commitment to confidentiality and customer comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers cost-effective pricing structures in Middle Inlet, WI, delivering quick results without compromising on quality. Our competitive rates provide businesses with superior value while maintaining high standards of testing accuracy.

Our swift turnaround times ensure companies can make informed decisions promptly, benefitting from both the financial savings and the reliability that our hair follicle tests provide.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test shines in its ability to provide precise and rapid results in Middle Inlet, WI. Compared to other testing methods, hair follicle tests are renowned for their unmatched accuracy, making them an excellent choice for detecting substance use with reliability.

At the core of its strength lies the test's high accuracy rate when identifying substance use. In Middle Inlet, WI, individuals and organizations can rely on this testing method for trustworthy outcomes. Its speed and precision have set new standards in the drug testing industry.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Middle Inlet, WI, gain compliance assurance by utilizing hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free workplace policies and reducing legal liabilities. This method reinforces a culture of safety and responsibility within organizations.

By implementing hair tests, companies not only meet industry norms but also enhance peace of mind. It fosters an environment where safety is prioritized, minimizing the risks associated with workplace substance abuse.

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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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