Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Washburn, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair provides approximately a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and simple to send off.

A specimen of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, the optimum sample for testing and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests above 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's framework. This step includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not furnished by a digital chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a confirmed positive screen is required for court admissibility. Any specimens preliminarily positive in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is suspected positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumed positive specimens are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined 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 usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides patterns of drug use over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests in Washburn, WI, are significant. Hair tests provide a broader detection window, while urine tests are more suited for recent use. The precision of hair follicle testing raises the bar in drug detection, offering superior reliability essential for maintaining drug-free environments both professionally and personally.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Washburn, WI, provides unmatched insights into an individual's substance use over approximately 90 days. This comprehensive view is invaluable for employers aiming to sustain a drug-free workplace, allowing them to thoroughly understand an employee's or applicant's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Washburn, WI, is virtually resistant to tampering, offering a secure and credible testing alternative. The method's inherent resistance to adulteration ensures trustworthy results, delivering peace of mind for all parties involved by reducing the possibility of manipulation and guaranteeing integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers guarantees convenience and accessibility for Washburn, WI residents. Whether local or part of our nationwide services, the ability to undergo testing quickly and efficiently is a key benefit, ensuring minimal disruption while maintaining optimal service standards and accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing process in Washburn, WI, prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering a test to receiving results, each step is streamlined to preserve privacy and ensure user-friendliness. Individuals can be assured of a discreet and smooth experience, all the while receiving thorough and precise drug analysis.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Washburn, WI offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Our services provide exceptional value, catering to companies of all sizes while maintaining affordability. Rapid results and cost-effective solutions are key, delivering peace of mind and excellent service standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Washburn, WI, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its speed and accuracy. The precision of these tests ensures that substance use is detected reliably, offering a critical tool for both employers and individuals. Speedy results combined with high accuracy make hair testing a preferred choice, offering rapid insights into substance use behaviors.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Washburn, WI, utilizing hair follicle testing supports compliance with workplace policies. By employing this method, businesses mitigate legal risks and promote a safer work environment, ensuring adherence to drug-free protocols and enhancing overall workplace security through accurate substance use detection.

Drug Testing Near Washburn, WI

Madge, WI

Beaver Brook, WI

Casey, WI

Spooner, WI

Lampson, WI

Springbrook, WI

Crystal, WI

Trego, 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