Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Allis, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair hold a prolonged record of substance usage through the encapsulation of biomarkers within the hair’s cellular structure. When hair samples are taken near the scalp, they offer a detection span of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is effortless, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) taken from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to gather 150mg of the specimen. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the hair sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an acceptable substitute. The term head hair exclusively means scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of drug test results unfolds through four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

The Accessioning stage involves the preliminary processing of a specimen within a lab's framework. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody.

During Screening, there’s an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive Screening result must undergo confirmation to be considered court-admissible. All samples yielding a presumptive positive outcome in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for preparation in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at noticeably lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of executing hair drug screening.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques facilitate Confirmation of any positive Screening results. Presumptive positive samples undergo pre-confirmation washing as required. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is validated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair tag and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests offer detection capabilities reaching up to 90 days, whereas urine tests present a shorter span.
• Challenging to manipulate: The complex nature of compromising a hair drug test renders its results highly reliable.
• Offers retrospective insights: It furnishes a timeline of substance use, capturing patterns rather than immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent intake: A lag of approximately 5-7 days is needed for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Higher expense: Hair drug tests tend to incur greater costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair pigmentation and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests," the process actually examines the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superiority of hair follicle testing is evident in contrast to urine testing, especially in West Allis, WI. While traditional urine tests are popular, hair testing offers distinct advantages in terms of accuracy and reliability.

Hair testing provides a clearer and more reliable detection of substances, surpassing urine tests. It effectively showcases its superiority, offering a comprehensive assessment of an individual's drug usage history.

Extended Detection Window

In West Allis, WI, hair follicle testing is unparalleled due to its extended detection window, covering up to 90 days. This feature offers employers a thorough review of a candidate’s or employee’s substance usage history.

This extensive timeframe of detection gives employers considerable insights into patterns of use. It provides a broad spectrum perspective, making it an ideal choice for comprehensive drug screening.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing in West Allis, WI, substantially lowers the risks of sample tampering. Its robust process ensures reliable and indisputable outcomes, exceeding traditional methods.

By minimizing the possibility of adulteration, hair testing stands out as a trustworthy choice. Its tamper-resistant nature reassures both employers and test subjects of the integrity and authenticity of the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Discover the convenience of numerous testing centers nationwide, including in West Allis, WI. Our widespread presence ensures easy and stress-free access to essential testing services.

With centers strategically located nationwide, accessing drug testing services becomes straightforward and effortless. Embrace the seamless process facilitated by our vast network of testing sites.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our straightforward yet private process in West Allis, WI, simplifies ordering, taking, and receiving hair test results. This approach addresses privacy concerns, making it user-friendly.

Focusing on confidentiality, our testing procedure ensures each step maintains discretion. Experience an uncomplicated and private method, designed to prioritize user comfort and security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times are the cornerstones of our services in West Allis, WI. These factors provide excellent value and reassurance, making our services appealing to various businesses.

Offering affordability without compromising quality, our hair testing ensures timely results. Enjoy fast service delivery and cost-effectiveness with our reliable testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For those in West Allis, WI, hair follicle drug tests provide results with high precision and speed. This testing method excels in detecting substance use with remarkable accuracy, giving clear and reliable outcomes.

Utilizing advanced techniques, hair tests deliver fast results while maintaining high credibility. Substance identification through this procedure is swift and dependable, ensuring timely and trustworthy assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in West Allis, WI, gain peace of mind by using hair follicle testing to uphold drug-free workplace policies. This testing enhances compliance, lowering legal risks while boosting workplace safety.

This reliable testing approach assures adherence to stringent workplace standards. It fosters a safe and compliant working environment, reinforcing an employer's commitment to safety and legality.

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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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