Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Union, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective approach for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other drug use. Hair samples taken proximal to the scalp can provide a detection window ranging up to nearly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches composed of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen size for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional analyses, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. Head hair exclusively denotes scalp hair, while body hair encompasses hair from other areas (beard, armpits, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in laboratory processing of drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning describes the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process includes confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any unentered data not included by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a rapid initial assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, admitting a positive screen in legal settings necessitates confirmation. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive result in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to alternative techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to carry out.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is meticulously evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to cheating: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields historical usage data: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent usage: It generally requires 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Union, WI, the superiority of hair follicle testing over urine tests is evident in their accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods, hair tests provide a comprehensive view up to 90 days back.

Choosing hair testing in Union, WI offers clear benefits over urine testing. Its unmatched detection precision, coupled with reliability, makes it an invaluable tool for those seeking accurate drug use insights.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Union, WI, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection capability, allowing them to review substance use over a 90-day timeframe, offering a holistic view of an employee's history.

The hair follicle testing method in Union, WI, provides a broader detection window. This comprehensive review spans up to 90 days, giving employers insights into sustained substance habits of candidates or employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Union, WI, hair follicle tests are famed for their robust defense against tampering. This testing approach offers assurance that results are both reliable and difficult to contest.

Hair testing in Union, WI greatly diminishes the risk of sample manipulation. Its resistance to tampering ensures employers receive trustworthy, unquestionable results, standing out from other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations across the nation, including Union, WI. Our widespread centers ensure that clients have swift and easy access to necessary testing services without hassle.

In Union, WI, and beyond, our extensive network of testing centers simplifies the logistics of drug testing. Quick, straightforward access to facilities ensures clients can address testing needs seamlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Union, WI is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Clients experience ease in ordering, taking the test, and receiving results, ensuring privacy is respected throughout.

In Union, WI, the seamless and discreet testing process prioritizes client comfort and confidentiality. The straightforward method ensures privacy is kept while delivering accurate results without hassle.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Union, WI, our competitive pricing for hair follicle tests ensures excellent value. Coupled with fast turnaround times, our services provide organizations of all sizes with efficiency and peace of mind.

Clients in Union, WI appreciate our affordable pricing structures, which deliver significant savings. Our rapid result delivery additionally supports businesses in maintaining timely and efficient operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Union, WI, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its rapid and precise results, providing an edge when accuracy is critical. Unlike other methods, hair testing ensures a high level of reliability, quickly identifying past substance use.

The swiftness of hair follicle tests in Union, WI, offers immense advantages in situations demanding accurate drug use assessments. This method delivers dependable results swiftly, ensuring that individuals receive trustworthy and prompt feedback.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Union, WI aids in achieving compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Employers can trust in reduced legal risks and a safer, more productive work environment.

Hair testing in Union, WI guarantees workplace policy compliance, lowering legal challenges. Businesses benefit through enforcement of drug-free standards, bolstering safety and peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Union, WI

Meridean, WI

Pleasant Valley, WI

Albertville, WI

Rock Creek, WI

Spring Brook, WI

Lake Hallie, WI

Altoona, WI

Caryville, WI

Elk Mound, WI

Brunswick, WI

Wheaton, WI

Eau Claire, 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