Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stitzer, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair assessment has emerged as an effective means for evaluating drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft, hair offers an extended historical account of alcohol and drug use. When secured near the scalp, hair can yield up to a 3-month detection period for these substances. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A sample comprising 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, constituting the optimal quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We advocate measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is nonexistent, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory's framework. This encompasses verifying the sample's seal and proper shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any further data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptively positive result in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging technique.

Confirmation for any positive result from Screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that test presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in adherence to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can unveil drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a reduced detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can provide a timeline of drug consumption over an extended period, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why is hair follicle testing superior to urine testing in Stitzer, WI? For one, it provides a significantly extended detection window. Hair tests can trace substance use up to 90 days back, while urine tests offer only a short-term view. This makes hair tests more comprehensive and revealing.

The reliability of hair testing is unmatched in detecting drugs consistently. In contrast, urine tests are more susceptible to adulteration and offer limited substance detection periods. With hair testing, the integrity and authenticity of the results are preserved.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Stitzer, WI, excels in detecting drug use over an extended duration. Up to 90 days' worth of substance use history can be revealed with a hair test, presenting employers with a detailed insight into a candidate or employee's substance use habits.

This extended detection window is invaluable in assessing long-term drug use patterns. For employers seeking comprehensive evaluations, this allows for improved decision-making regarding hiring and maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing dramatically reduces the opportunity for tampering, offering Stitzer, WI, a highly tamper-resistant drug testing method. Unlike urine tests, which can be easily adulterated, hair tests provide trustworthy and robust results.

By minimizing the risk of sample manipulation, hair testing provides results that are reliable and effectual. This ensures that employers and other stakeholders receive credible information for their drug testing needs and decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network, including convenient locations in Stitzer, WI, ensures easy access to hair follicle testing. This sprawling network provides hassle-free, quick access to testing services, ensuring that individuals and companies can easily meet their drug testing needs.

Testing is simplified with widespread locations, eliminating the inconvenience of long-distance travel for individuals or companies requiring regular drug testing, making the process efficient and straightforward.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting hair follicle testing in Stitzer, WI, involves a simple, confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, our approach ensures privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any privacy concerns you might have.

Our streamlined process makes it easy for companies and individuals to engage with our testing services. Confidentiality and simplicity are at the forefront, ensuring that your testing experience is smooth and private.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our drug testing services in Stitzer, WI, offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, providing excellent value. With economically structured options, companies of all sizes can benefit from quick and dependable testing services.

Fast delivery of results combined with affordable rates allows businesses to maintain their drug-free policies efficiently. Our services stand out for providing incredible value alongside prompt and reliable outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and reliability of hair follicle drug tests in Stitzer, WI, ensure fast and accurate results. Unlike other methods, hair testing offers a high level of accuracy in detecting substance use, allowing for more reliable conclusions. This high level of precision provides results that professionals can trust and act upon confidently.

With hair follicle testing, results are not only precise but are also delivered quickly, helping both employers and testing individuals to make informed decisions. The advanced detection technology used ensures that substance use is accurately and swiftly identified, offering peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Stitzer, WI, can achieve peace of mind and compliance with workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free work environments, minimizes legal risks, and improves overall safety.

With hair testing, companies can confidently demonstrate their commitment to a drug-free policy, reducing the chances of workplace incidents and liabilities. A compliant testing regime assures employers of a healthier, safer work environment.

Drug Testing Near Stitzer, WI

Rewey, WI

Hickory Grove, WI

Mount Hope, WI

Castle Rock, WI

Little Grant, WI

Montfort, WI

Ellenboro, WI

Livingston, WI

South Lancaster, WI

Werley, WI

Wingville, WI

Mount Ida, WI

Lancaster, WI

North Lancaster, WI

Fennimore, 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