Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Westport, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of substance use by embedding markers within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeline of about three months for various drugs and alcohol. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A sample of 1.5 inches, roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the circumference of a #2 pencil), gathered close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen comprising 150mg is advised. It's best to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair might be utilized. When discussing head hair, it specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary procedures in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the primary handling of a specimen into the lab's system. This includes ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched appropriately, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any data input absent from an electronic custody record.

Screening signifies an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. Although Screening is an economical strategy to dismiss drug usage in most cases, a confirmed result is necessary for legal acceptability. Any specimens flagged as positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a specimen tests positive initially in the Screening phase, supplementary hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Here, substances are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluids), making it the most challenging process in drug analysis.

Positive Sample Confirmation is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all initial positive results undergo purification as necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation complies with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair tests can trace drug intake for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a briefer detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug assessments are challenging to manipulate, enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical data: It can reveal patterns of drug consumption over time, beyond immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent intake: A timeframe of approximately 5-7 days is needed before substances become traceable in hair.
• Expenses: Generally, hair drug examinations are pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair pigmentation and individual growth rates can influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Dubbed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why is hair follicle testing preferred over urine testing in Westport, WI? Hair analysis offers significant advantages, including higher detection accuracy and reliability.

• The detection window for hair is substantially longer.
• Urine tests are easier to tamper with in comparison.

Extended Detection Window

The strength of hair follicle testing in Westport, WI, lies in its extended detection window, which reaches up to 90 days.

• This allows employers an in-depth review of an individual's drug usage history.
• Such long-term detection is invaluable for making well-informed hiring or retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Resistant to tampering, hair follicle tests in Westport, WI, provide solid and unquestionable results.

• Unlike other methods, hair tests are challenging to adulterate.
• This guarantees the integrity of the sample from collection to analysis.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Westport, WI, the convenience of nationwide testing centers means easy access to hair follicle drug testing.

• Our centers ensure fast, hassle-free testing experiences.
• Local availability further enhances the accessibility of our services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Westport, WI, is both simple and confidential.

• Ordering, sample collection, and result retrieval are straightforward.
• Concerns regarding privacy and ease of use are effectively addressed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Westport, WI, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times.

• This ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
• Our timely service provides peace of mind as results are delivered promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Westport, WI, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and rapid results. This method exhibits exceptional accuracy in detecting substance use, surpassing traditional methods.
Hair tests boast superior detection abilities, providing a comprehensive view of an individual's drug consumption history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Westport, WI, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

• This minimizes legal risks.
• Additionally, it promotes a safer work environment by deterring substance use.

Drug Testing Near Westport, WI

Burke, WI

DeForest, WI

Monona, WI

Springfield, WI

Vienna, WI

Madison, WI

Windsor, WI

Dane, WI

Middleton, WI

Shorewood Hills, WI

Maple Bluff, WI

Waunakee, 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