Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Freedom, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are now recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair, it offers a prolonged timeline for alcohol and drug usage history. When collected near the scalp, it can provide an approximate 3-month detection period for such substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We recommend measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages involved in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into the laboratory's system. This entails ensuring the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial swift examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for court acceptability. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo secondary verification.

If a sample indicates a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in different techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is the reason hair drug screening is the most complex methodology to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Perks of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screenings can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is arduous, making the outcomes more reliable.
• Offers historical insight: It can display a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal deviations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In North Freedom, WI, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Superior in reliability and accuracy, hair analysis extends the detection period dramatically, capturing drug use missed by urine tests. The hair test's unparalleled precision uncovers drug consumption in a way urine screening struggles to match, ensuring employers and authorities make informed decisions.

Beyond the extended detection window, hair tests are harder to manipulate than urine samples. This secure nature provides superior accuracy and reliability, crucial for maintaining robust drug-free policies and gaining a true understanding of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

For employers in North Freedom, WI, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window. Unlike other methods, these tests trace drug use back up to 90 days. This wide-ranging view gives insights into an individual's substance use history, helping employers assess long-term drug habits effectively.

The broad detection period of hair testing offers a comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee's behavior. Employers benefit from this breadth, ensuring a thorough review that highlights potential risks, contributing to informed hiring or personnel decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in North Freedom, WI, offer a tamper-resistant solution for drug screening. Unlike some testing methods, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, ensuring results are reliable and unquestionable. This integrity makes hair testing invaluable in maintaining accurate drug histories.

Designed to minimize manipulation, hair tests provide a secured process unmatched by urine testing. By preventing sample tampering, these tests maintain a high standard of credibility, offering authentic results that stakeholders can trust without hesitation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In North Freedom, WI, convenient access to testing is assured through nationwide centers and local facilities. This widespread availability makes securing drug testing services quick, easy, and hassle-free. Regardless of location, our centers are ready to assist, ensuring efficient and comprehensive testing solutions.

Our array of accessible locations ensures that those requiring drug testing face no barriers. We prioritize convenience, streamlining the testing process to minimize disruptions, whether you're in a bustling city or a quieter locale like North Freedom.

Simple, Confidential Process

In North Freedom, WI, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns. Ordering, administering, and receiving results is streamlined to prioritize ease of use, ensuring participants feel secure in the testing process while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Our approach focuses on simplicity, making hair testing an unobtrusive experience. Every aspect, from initial scheduling to receiving accurate results, is designed to be user-friendly, so participants and employers enjoy a seamless and private testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Employers in North Freedom, WI, benefit from affordable pricing and fast turnaround times on hair follicle tests. Our pricing models are competitive, offering exceptional value for companies of all sizes, while our prompt processing ensures swift results, increasing organizational efficiency.

Our commitment to providing value and efficiency in drug testing is evident in our competitive prices and quick results. By balancing these elements, hair testing becomes accessible and financially viable, allowing businesses to maintain high standards without compromising their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In North Freedom, WI, hair follicle drug tests provide precise and rapid results. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring that results truly reflect an individual's drug history. The efficiency of hair testing offers a swift turnaround, making it the preferred choice for those seeking fast and trustworthy drug testing solutions.

The meticulous process involved in hair follicle testing guarantees robust accuracy, ensuring that every strand undergoes a comprehensive analysis. This method highlights not only the presence of substances but also delivers reliable insight into usage patterns, offering critical information for informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in North Freedom, WI, achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and fostering a safer work environment. By leveraging hair testing, employers can confidently enforce their substance regulations.

Utilizing hair follicle tests reinforces safety and compliance, essential factors for maintaining lawful operations. These tests aid in detecting ongoing drug use, allowing for timely interventions that safeguard the workplace, ultimately leading to a more secure professional setting.

Drug Testing Near North Freedom, WI

Honey Creek, WI

Delton, WI

Sumpter, WI

Dellona, WI

Loganville, WI

Reedsburg, WI

Bluffview, WI

Baraboo, WI

West Baraboo, WI

Rock Springs, 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