Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Utica, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sampling of approximately 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, a corresponding amount of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducting any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-acceptable. Any samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

In the event a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is validated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests with a briefer detection period.
• Cheat resistance: It is exceedingly difficult to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical timeline: It offers a usage pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectability: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing in Utica, WI, surpass those of traditional urine tests, offering enhanced detection accuracy and dependability. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair follicle testing reveals a more extensive history, giving a clearer picture of substance use patterns.

Employers and authorities value hair testing for its precision over a longer period. The ability to uncover drug use history over months with hair tests provides a distinct edge over conventional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Utica, WI, provides a long detection window for drug use, up to 90 days, offering a more comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history. This extended period is beneficial for employers seeking to understand a candidate’s or employee’s long-term drug habits.

Using hair tests, organizations gain insight into extended substance use patterns, which urine tests can't offer. This wide-ranging detection capability aids in making informed decisions about potential hires and current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Utica, WI, hair follicle testing is favored for its resistance to tampering, significantly reducing sample adulteration risk. This secure testing method ensures reliable results, making it a trusted choice for employers and agencies.

The difficulty in manipulating hair samples compared to urine samples provides confidence in the test outcomes. Hair tests offer an assurance level that other testing methods struggle to match, ensuring honest reporting of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Utica, WI, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free. Our widespread locations ensure easy testing service access, accommodating employers' and individuals' needs alike.

The extensive network of testing facilities guarantees a smooth testing process, reducing travel time and effort. This convenience makes our services accessible and efficient, catering to diverse testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Utica, WI, is straightforward and confidential, providing ease of use and privacy assurance. From ordering to receiving results, the entire process prioritizes simplicity and discretion for all users.

Individuals appreciate the uncomplicated steps involved, alongside the respect for privacy in handling their tests. This user-friendly approach ensures a smooth experience for customers, addressing any confidentiality concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Utica, WI, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing alongside rapid turnaround times, delivering excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our cost-effective solutions ensure financial practicality without compromising on service quality.

Quick result delivery coupled with affordable testing options provides organizations with a stress-free testing experience. These advantages make us a top choice for cost-conscious employers and individuals seeking dependable testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Utica, WI, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests stand out, ensuring fast and reliable substance use detection. Their high accuracy makes them a preferred choice for many seeking dependable results. Hair testing's efficiency in producing quick results enhances decision-making processes.

Speedy and precise outcomes are crucial for maintaining safety and compliance in any organization. Hair follicle tests offer rapid results without compromising on accuracy, supporting employers in making informed decisions regarding their workforce.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Utica, WI, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, offering employers peace of mind. This method supports legal adherence and enhances workplace safety by reliably detecting substance use.

Employers benefit from the accuracy and reliability of hair tests, reducing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment. This secure method allows companies to maintain a drug-free workplace effectively.

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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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