Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Two Rivers, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. It offers a comprehensive history of drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, roughly comprising 200 strands of hair (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, equates to 100mg, which is the optimal amount for initial testing and validation. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or assays exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is best to use a jeweler's scale to measure the sample weight. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair. "Body hair" includes facial, axillary, and other types of hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning initiates with incorporating a sample into the lab's system. This step includes verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial examination for drug substances. While cost-effective for excluding drug usage in most cases, a positive screening result must be confirmed to be legally defensible. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a specimen yields a presumptive positive in Screening, an additional portion of hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. This phase extracts drug substances from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid)—this is why hair drug screening is the most challenging technique.

Confirmation of a positive Screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can determine drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection range.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus ensuring result accuracy.
• Historical data provision: It delivers a timeline of drug use over several months, rather than recent use only.

Limitations:

• Inability to reveal recent use: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than alternative drug testing solutions.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence the drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Two Rivers, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in various ways. The superior accuracy and reliability of hair tests demonstrate their advantage. While urine tests are conventional, hair tests provide an extended detection period up to 90 days, capturing a broader spectrum of substance use, thereby offering a more precise evaluation.

Hair tests eliminate concerns about sample viability, as they are not affected by common urine adulteration tactics. Employers and professionals seeking an infallible testing method thus find hair follicle tests to be an optimal solution.

Extended Detection Window

With a detection window reaching up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers detailed insights into substance use over time, beneficial for employers in Two Rivers, WI. This extensive window helps paint a thorough picture of an individual's substance history, enabling informed decision-making.

Unlike shorter-range tests, hair testing captures prolonged drug usage patterns. Such comprehensive data give hiring managers confidence in assessing potential employees’ reliability and adherence to drug-free norms.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Two Rivers, WI, hair follicle tests significantly reduce the likelihood of tampering. The integrity of hair samples is maintained, presenting reliable and honest results. Their design makes it virtually impossible to alter samples, a common issue with other testing methods.

The robustness of this method provides reassurance to both employers and individuals that the results are specific and dependable. Therefore, any attempt to cheat the system is effectively neutralized using hair tests.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide testing locations, including those in Two Rivers, WI, offer unparalleled convenience. Our widespread network ensures accessibility for drug testing services, facilitating quick and stress-free testing experiences for all users.

Easy booking and minimal wait times make our locations user-friendly. Clients benefit from local availability, making it simple to undertake necessary tests without significant disruption to daily routines. This seamless access highlights our commitment to service.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Two Rivers, WI, our drug testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, each step is designed for user ease and privacy, ensuring discretion throughout the procedure.

Clear instructions and secure processes address privacy concerns effectively. Users can confidently engage with our services, knowing that their information remains confidential, enhancing trust and usage comfort for individuals and companies alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and rapid results characterize our services in Two Rivers, WI. Our competitive rates ensure all businesses, regardless of size, achieve great value, while our swift turnaround reinforces efficiency and keeps operations flowing smoothly.

By maintaining cost-effectiveness and speed, we provide companies with a dependable resource, allowing them to focus on core activities with the peace of mind that timely and economical solutions are in place for their testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Two Rivers, WI, benefits from the speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests. These tests stand out with their high accuracy in identifying substance use, allowing timely and efficient results. This swift processing ensures that users receive fast outcomes, enhancing decision-making processes.

Emphasizing accuracy, hair follicle tests minimize false positives and negatives, ensuring reliability. Their precise analysis techniques provide confidence in the results, making them a preferred choice over outdated methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Two Rivers, WI gain peace of mind using hair follicle testing. Assuring compliance with workplace drug policies, this method reduces legal liabilities and enhances safety protocols. By employing these tests, companies enforce rigorous standards without compromising accuracy.

The assurance of unbiased and accurate results maintains the integrity of workplace drug-free policies, thus contributing to safer and more efficient operations. This commitment fosters trust and reliability among employees and management.

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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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