Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Niagara, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now embraced as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can present nearly a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. The collection process is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, making it the perfect sample for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or panels numbering more than 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair might be gathered. Specifically, head hair pertains to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four central steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This step includes verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any additional data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a rapid initial check for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective method to rule out drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Samples that show possible positive results in Screening require a further confirmation step.

If a Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. As necessary, all samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidance and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests are capable of identifying drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter duration for detection.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely hard, which enhances the accuracy of results.
• Provides historical data: Hair testing offers a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair strands.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing strategies.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration found in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual test evaluates the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Niagara, WI, sees the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer superior accuracy and a broader detection window, making them more reliable for long-term substance use analysis.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle analyses present a more reliable option for employers in Niagara, WI. With a detection period covering up to 90 days, these tests provide a more comprehensive view of substance use, offering peace of mind and enhancing workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Niagara, WI provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days, significantly surpassing urine tests. This longer period allows employers to gain insight into a person's substance use history.

This advanced testing method offers Niagara, WI employers a complete picture of an employee's past drug use over several months, aiding in informed decision-making for hiring and ongoing employment management.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Niagara, WI, is its resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples provide reliable results, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration.

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests ensures that results are unquestionable, offering employers in Niagara, WI the dependable accuracy needed to enforce workplace drug policies confidently.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationwide testing centers, including those in Niagara, WI, ensures easy access to hair follicle drug tests. With our widespread locations, obtaining reliable testing has never been more straightforward.

Our testing centers in Niagara, WI, provide hassle-free access to hair drug tests, ensuring clients can have their testing needs met swiftly and conveniently across the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of obtaining a hair follicle drug test in Niagara, WI, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy, providing assurance and ease of use.

In Niagara, WI, the clear and confidential process of hair testing addresses privacy concerns efficiently, allowing individuals to complete testing comfortably and securely, from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing in Niagara, WI for hair follicle drug tests offers excellent value. Along with affordable rates, fast turnaround times ensure companies receive their results quickly for prompt decision-making.

Affordable pricing plans in Niagara, WI make it easy for companies of all sizes to benefit from hair testing's superior detection features, combining cost-efficiency with fast, reliable outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Niagara, WI deliver prompt results with uncompromising accuracy. These tests efficiently identify substance use, allowing for swift and reliable outcomes. For employers needing precision, hair testing offers an unmatched standard, effectively detecting drug use.

The advanced methodology of hair follicle testing provides fast and accurate insights. In Niagara, WI, the reliability of these tests ensures that employers can trust the results, making informed decisions swiftly and confidently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Niagara, WI, benefit from hair follicle testing, which ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing reduces legal risks and promotes a safer working environment.

Relying on comprehensive hair testing allows Niagara, WI employers to maintain compliance and peace of mind, reinforcing their commitment to a secure and drug-free workplace while minimizing liabilities.

Drug Testing Near Niagara, WI

Wausaukee, WI

Athelstane, WI

Armstrong Creek, WI

Florence, WI

Goodman, WI

Amberg, WI

Commonwealth, WI

Homestead, WI

Dunbar, WI

Spread Eagle, WI

Pembine, 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