Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Waubeka, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by preserving biomarkers within the fiber of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to nearly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for testing and validation. For EtG and additional tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four critical stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This covers verifying that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a primary rapid assessment for drug misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to stand in court. Any samples that test positive in Screening require an additional confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, extra hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives are washed as required before confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review 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 assessments can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more accurate results.
• Supplies historical data: It reveals a trend of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superior Detection in Waubeka, WI: Hair follicle testing in Waubeka surpasses urine testing by offering superior accuracy and reliability. Its ability to detect drug use over a more extended period makes it a valuable tool for employers and other institutions.

The reliability of hair tests makes them a preferred choice, yielding results that are harder to tamper with compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Analysis in Waubeka: Hair follicle tests capture drug usage over a lengthy period, up to 90 days, giving a clear picture of an individual's substance history.

This comprehensive analysis benefits employers by offering insight into an applicant or employee's long-term habits, surpassing shorter detection methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Unquestionable Results in Waubeka: Hair follicle tests significantly lower the risk of sample tampering, offering results that are reliable and trustworthy.

Unlike other methods, this testing approach ensures samples remain unadulterated, providing employers peace of mind with the accuracy of results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Convenience in Waubeka: Our convenient testing locations across the nation, including Waubeka, offer hassle-free access to drug testing services.

The broad availability ensures quick and easy testing for all, facilitating smooth processes for both individuals and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Confidential Simplicity in Waubeka: The process for obtaining, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and private, ensuring ease of use.

Employers and individuals in Waubeka can expect a simple, yet confidential experience that respects privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Value in Waubeka: Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services deliver value and assurance to businesses of all sizes.

This cost-effective option not only provides peace of mind but also ensures timely and actionable insights into substance use.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed in Waubeka, WI: Hair follicle drug tests in Waubeka offer unmatched precision and speed. Their high accuracy in identifying substance use makes them a trusted choice for many.

Through advanced analytical techniques, hair follicle tests provide fast and reliable results, ensuring that employers and individuals get accurate information without delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Peaceful Compliance in Waubeka: Utilizing hair follicle testing helps maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing the legal risks associated with substance misuse.

For employers, this method enhances safety and ensures adherence to regulations, delivering peace of mind regarding employee conduct.

Drug Testing Near Waubeka, WI

Batavia, WI

Port Washington, WI

Sherman, WI

Belgium, WI

Trenton, WI

Saukville, WI

Random Lake, WI

Newburg, WI

Fredonia, 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