Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Vesper, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a highly effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows, providing a comprehensive history of substance use. When sourced from the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to adulterate, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. The specimen should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair is an alternative. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures proper sealing and shipping of samples, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any missing manual data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. It is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples; however, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Presumptive positive results require secondary confirmation.

For a presumptively positive sample in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and subjected to Extraction. During this process, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is more challenging to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screening involves techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests track drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a narrower window.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, which enhances accuracy.
• Shows historical patterns: Provides insight into drug use over time, not just recent acts.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests," the testing actually assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Vesper, WI
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests, the former stands out for its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests offer a broader detection window, capturing a wider range of substances over longer periods. This method is unmatched in reliability and accuracy, making it the preferred choice for comprehensive drug use assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Vesper, WI
Hair follicle testing excels in offering an extended detection window, tracing substance use for up to 90 days. This comprehensive scope allows employers to gain a detailed insight into an applicant's or employee's substance history, ensuring informed hiring decisions and maintaining workplace safety standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Vesper, WI
Hair follicle tests are designed to minimize the risk of tampering, ensuring that the results are reliable and unambiguous. This method's inherent resistance to adulteration guarantees that the integrity of the sample remains intact, offering peace of mind to those who rely on its findings for critical decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Vesper, WI
Our widespread network of testing centers ensures that accessing hair follicle testing services is both convenient and efficient. With numerous locations nationwide, including Vesper, WI, individuals can expect seamless and stress-free testing experiences without unnecessary delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Vesper, WI
The hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring individuals' privacy at every stage. From ordering to testing and receiving results, each step is straightforward and discreet, addressing any concerns about ease of use and maintaining privacy protections rigorously.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Vesper, WI
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times stand out, providing exceptional value. This efficient service is pivotal for companies of all sizes, ensuring timely access to critical results without breaking the bank. The cost-effectiveness of our services pairs with their speed, delivering excellent peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Vesper, WI
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision in identifying substance use, allowing for rapid and dependable results. Their enhanced accuracy makes them a leading choice for those in need of meticulous testing. This advanced method is essential for ensuring individuals' compliance with substance regulations and fostering a safer environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Vesper, WI
Employing hair follicle testing supports compliance with workplace drug-free policies, curtailing legal risks and bolstering workplace security. This method gives employers the assurance that their drug testing procedures are robust and reliable, facilitating a safer and more productive environment.

Drug Testing Near Vesper, WI

Junction City, WI

Nekoosa, WI

Dexter, WI

Port Edwards, WI

Dexterville, WI

Auburndale, WI

Milladore, WI

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Biron, WI

Wood, WI

Pittsville, WI

Rudolph, WI

Arpin, WI

Sigel, WI

Hansen, 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