Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Morgan, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We advocate weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in the laboratory assessment of a drug testing result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step of incorporating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This encompasses checking that the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be accepted in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening step, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are obtained from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is undertaken through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory 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 period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection window.
• Limited possibility of manipulation: It is very challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage data: It can provide a timeline of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier compared to other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Morgan, WI, hair follicle testing presents a superior alternative to urine testing. Accuracy is enhanced, detecting drug use over longer periods and providing peace of mind. With nearly impossible chances of tampering, this method offers reliability that traditional urine tests cannot match.

Hair testing provides a longer detection window, capturing a broader history of substance use compared to urine tests. This makes it a preferred choice for employers prioritizing comprehensive assessments over short-term detection.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Morgan, WI, favor hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window. With the ability to identify drug use up to 90 days back, it offers a thorough review of an individual's substance history, surpassing typical testing periods.

The long detection span provides employers with in-depth insights into an employee or applicant's substance use, facilitating more informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Morgan, WI proves to be a tamper-resistant method, reducing possibilities of sample adulteration. Unlike other forms of testing, hair samples are challenging to alter, ensuring authenticity.

This robustness against tampering secures the reliability of results, giving employers confidence in the integrity of the testing process and outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is enhanced with our nationwide testing locations in Morgan, WI. Quick and hassle-free access to our services is ensured through a network of testing centers, making the process easier for everyone involved.

The sheer number of testing sites guarantees that individuals can find a nearby location, facilitating a seamless testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Morgan, WI, the hair follicle testing procedure is simple and confidential. Privacy concerns are addressed with a straightforward process for ordering, administering, and receiving results, ensuring ease and discretion.

The testing process prioritizes client confidentiality and simplicity, making it user-friendly while safeguarding personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Morgan, WI affordable. Companies of all sizes benefit from our cost-effective solutions coupled with prompt delivery of results.

Our pricing structure, along with rapid results, provides companies with excellent value, ensuring financial feasibility without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Morgan, WI, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, reliable results. Precision in detecting substances ensures the most accurate reflection of substance use. This method's efficiency in yielding quick and dependable results makes it ideal for time-sensitive testing needs.

Hair testing's high accuracy and prompt results are pivotal for those who require immediate and verifiable answers concerning drug use. This ensures stakeholders gain the critical insights they need without delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Morgan, WI, providing employers peace of mind. By adhering to stringent testing protocols, legal risks are minimized, and workplace safety is bolstered.

Employers can trust that their testing procedures meet necessary standards, promoting a safer and more compliant work environment.

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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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