Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wilton, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting the usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximately 3-month period detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to modify, and straightforward to ship.

A 1.5-inch hair segment of roughly 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equal amount of body hair can be collected. When we talk about head hair, we only mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This phase includes verifying that the specimen was sealed and transmitted properly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be acceptable in court. Any samples showing presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to Confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed 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 window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to tamper with: It's very challenging to cheat on a hair drug test, ensuring the results are more precise.
• Shows historical data: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: Drugs typically take approximately 5–7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors such as hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the test actually evaluates the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Wilton, WI, hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. Hair tests boast superior accuracy, capable of detecting substance use over a much longer period.
This makes hair tests more reliable for enforcing drug-free policies and ensuring safety in the workplace, as they encompass a wider time frame for substance use detection.

While urine tests detect recent drug use, they are susceptible to tampering. Hair tests, on the other hand, provide foolproof evidence due to their non-invasive nature and longer detection period, making prevention and compliance more manageable.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Wilton, WI, provides a significant advantage. These tests track drug use history over the past 90 days, offering a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use.
This long-term insight is invaluable for employers seeking a comprehensive view, thus ensuring informed decisions.

This wide-ranging detection period surpasses traditional urine tests, giving employers confidence in the historical substance use profiles of potential hires or current employees. Hair testing thus grants a broad perspective on compliance with company policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Wilton, WI, hair follicle tests are lauded for their tamper-resistant qualities.
Unlike urine tests, hair samples are collected in a manner that makes it nearly impossible to adulterate, ensuring reliable results.
The ability to closely monitor and secure these sample collections enhances the credibility of the testing outcomes considerably.

These tests are especially significant for organizations that treat integrity and accuracy as paramount concerns. They mitigate risks associated with sample tampering, thus delivering results that businesses and legal entities can trust confidently.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing makes it hassle-free to access testing facilities in Wilton, WI, and nationwide.
Our extensive network ensures convenience, offering easy, quick, and straightforward testing services wherever needed.
This broad availability ensures seamless integration into daily routines without impeding operations.

With centers in every major city, both candidates and employers can rest assured in the ease of testing logistics, benefiting from our nationwide reach and the possibility of local testing in Wilton at your comfort.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Wilton, WI, the process with Accredited Drug Testing is both simple and confidential.
Starting from booking an appointment to receiving results, at every step, we prioritize your privacy and ease of use.
Follow up includes clear communication of the results, ensuring security and confidentiality throughout.

This helps address common concerns regarding privacy breaches. Protecting participant data and maintaining confidentiality are among our top priorities, thus making our process appealing to both individuals and businesses alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Wilton, WI, Accredited Drug Testing promotes its affordable pricing and rapid turnaround, catering to companies of all sizes.
Our commitment to cost-effectiveness ensures that quality and expedience don't come at an exorbitant price, serving to enhance overall pricing satisfaction.

Turnaround times for receiving test results are quick and dependable, offering results without compromising on detail or precision. Thus, businesses can enjoy peace of mind, knowing they are getting excellent value without sacrificing efficacy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wilton, WI, the efficiency and precision of hair follicle drug testing are unparalleled. These tests are fast and provide accurate results that reliably reflect substance use patterns.
They excel in detecting a broad spectrum of drugs, proving especially beneficial for environments where timely and precise detection is crucial.

The swift processing of hair follicle tests ensures that employers receive timely and consistent feedback. This accuracy plays a critical role in maintaining safety standards and making informed decisions quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Wilton, WI, using hair follicle testing supports compliance with workplace drug policies efficiently.
This testing method helps businesses adhere to stringent regulations, minimizing legal risks while instilling a culture of safety and sobriety, giving employers peace of mind and a secure work environment.

Promoting a drug-free workplace becomes easier with hair testing, as employers can expect full transparency in drug use reporting.
This assurance bolsters trust between employers and their team, reducing liability and enhancing overall workplace morale.

Drug Testing Near Wilton, WI

Cashton, WI

Tunnel City, WI

Oakdale, WI

Melvina, WI

Valley, WI

Tomah, WI

Whitestown, WI

Wells, WI

Clifton, WI

Mount Tabor, WI

Kendall, WI

Ontario, WI

Norwalk, WI

Ridgeville, WI

Wellington, 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