Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ogema, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When clipped near the scalp, hair can provide up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the introductory processing of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be authenticated to be valid in court. Any samples that return an initial positive result in Screening do require further confirmation.

If a sample is flagged as positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and is then prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Authentication of any positive screening outcome is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory progression from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the scrutiny of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug evaluations can spot drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection time.
• Challenging to deceive: It is quite difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more accurate outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug usage over an extended period, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become recognizable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher expenses compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination primarily analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Ogema, WI, proves superior to traditional urine tests by offering a longer detection period and enhanced accuracy. Employers choosing hair tests benefit from a more detailed insight into an individual's drug habits.
Unlike urine tests, which detect recent use, hair tests cover a broader time frame, ensuring cosiderable evidence of substance use patterns.

Extended Detection Window

In Ogema, WI, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive view of substance use over a 90-day period. This enables employers to better understand an individual's drug history over time.
Whereas other testing methods focus on short-term use, hair tests reveal a broader pattern of substance consumption.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests sets them apart in Ogema, WI. These tests are inherently resistant to adulteration, ensuring the integrity of results.
This reliability makes them highly preferred, providing unquestionable evidence. Employers can trust the findings knowing that attempts to manipulate the outcome are virtually impossible.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing centers and local options in Ogema, WI, obtaining test services becomes effortless. The expansive network ensures quick and accessible testing locations.
Regardless of the location, our centers prioritize convenience, making the testing process as smooth as possible for every client.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing program in Ogema, WI, ensures a simple and private experience from start to finish. Initiating a test order, completing the test, and receiving results are seamlessly integrated steps.
We prioritize privacy and ease for our clients, addressing concerns effectively and maintaining confidentiality throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Ogema, WI, we offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle drug tests. Excellent value is guaranteed for companies regardless of size.
Cost-effectiveness and promptness in test results are our priorities, providing peace of mind and reliability without compromising budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ogema, WI, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid and precise results, making them a preferred choice for substance detection. Their high accuracy is unmatched, ensuring dependable outcomes in identifying drug use. With a streamlined testing process, results are delivered quickly, assisting employers in making informed decisions expeditiously.
The confidence in the results stems from the test's meticulous methodology.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Ogema, WI, hair follicle testing brings compliance and reassurance for workplaces adhering to drug-free policies. Utilizing this method ensures adherence to regulations, minimizing legal risks.
By preventing workplace drug use, safety is enhanced, offering peace of mind to employers who prioritize a drug-free work environment.

Drug Testing Near Ogema, WI

Molitor, WI

Whittlesey, WI

Kennan, WI

Catawba, WI

Knox, WI

Brantwood, WI

Worcester, WI

Chelsea, WI

Rib Lake, WI

Spirit, WI

Peru, WI

Prentice, WI

Westboro, WI

Hill, 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