Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rib Falls, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of hair, it provides a long-term history of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair analysis can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It's also easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample, approximately 200 strands of hair (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields 100mg, an optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-on tests, and tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, an equal quantity of body hair may be used. Reference to head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is made up of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where a sample enters the laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry that's missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Though it is cost-effective for excluding drug use on most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to hold up in court. Any samples that show presumptive positives in Screening require follow-up confirmation.

For samples with presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly intricate.

Confirmation of positive screening results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample is washed before confirmation, if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to cheat: Hair drug tests are hard to fool, which increases result accuracy.
• Historical data: They can reveal drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth can influence metabolite concentrations.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Rib Falls, WI
Hair testing offers advantages not seen in urine tests, particularly in terms of detection length and reliability. The ability to detect substance use over a protracted period significantly curtails the chances of tampering, making it superior in accuracy and perseverance.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Rib Falls, WI
The hair follicle test is ideal for employers keen on a thorough evaluation of an applicant's drug history. Its capability to expose drug usage over an extensive detection window—up to 90 days—provides a comprehensive picture of an individual's substance interactions, ensuring informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Rib Falls, WI
Hair follicle tests protect against sample adulteration effectively, offering genuine results that withstand scrutiny. The nature of this testing method inherently reduces opportunities for tampering, lending confidence to employers and courts in the conclusions drawn from test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Rib Falls, WI
Our expansive network of nationwide testing centers guarantees you swift and straightforward access to testing services. This convenience extends to local venues in Rib Falls, ensuring you experience seamless service delivery wherever you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Rib Falls, WI
The process of securing, undergoing, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests is both straightforward and confidential. Your privacy is paramount, and our streamlined procedures are designed to be user-friendly, addressing any concerns related to discretion and ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Rib Falls, WI
Our competitive pricing models and rapid turnaround times provide unmatched value, catering to companies of all scales. We make affordability and efficiency priorities, ensuring you receive exceptional service without the high costs associated with other options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Rib Falls, WI
Hair follicle drug tests are unmatched in delivering rapid results combined with high precision in identifying substance use. By selecting this method, you benefit from the assurance of accurate detections, all facilitated at a remarkable pace, putting it ahead of more conventional testing techniques.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Rib Falls, WI
Embrace hair follicle testing as part of your company's drug-free policy compliance strategy. This method minimizes legal vulnerabilities and enhances safety, fostering a culture of responsibility and assurance within the workplace.

Drug Testing Near Rib Falls, WI

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Cassel, WI

Marathon City, WI

Edgar, 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.

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