Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wood River, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations have come to be recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and illicit substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hairs (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10-panel screenings, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. Reference to head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages involved in laboratory processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes verifying the sample’s proper seal and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use for the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in court. All samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate a secondary validation.

If a sample results as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this process, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug scrutiny is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumptively positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug exams can identify drug consumption for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a reduced detection window.
• Hard to deceive: It is notably difficult to deceive a hair drug test, leading to more precise results.
• Offers historical data: It can reveal a timeline of drug consumption over a span of time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug examinations are typically pricier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variability can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the assessment itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle situated beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out over traditional urine assessments primarily due to its substantial accuracy and reliability. While urine tests may offer rapid results, hair follicle screenings provide a more refined detection, capturing substance exposure over an extended timeframe. This method empowers organizations in Wood River, WI to maintain robust anti-drug policies with enhanced confidence in the test results' validity and consistency.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection abilities of hair follicle testing make it a superior choice for employers in Wood River, WI, offering insights into substance use over a 90-day period. This broader window reveals patterns in an applicant's or employee's history, enabling a deeper understanding of their adherence to workplace policies. This feature is especially beneficial for employers dedicated to fostering a safe and drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Ensuring test integrity, hair follicle analysis in Wood River, WI significantly minimizes the likelihood of sample tampering. The rigorous collection process reduces variables common in other testing methods, ensuring results that are both dependable and indisputable. This tamper-resistant feature instills confidence in employers seeking reliable drug screening solutions that uphold the standard of their zero-tolerance policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering widespread accessibility, our testing centers ensure easy and hassle-free service in Wood River, WI, and nationwide. This expansive network fosters convenience for clients seeking prompt and efficient testing solutions. With locations readily available, individuals and organizations can seamlessly access necessary testing, underscoring our commitment to providing swift and comprehensive drug screening services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Wood River, WI is designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy throughout each stage—from ordering to result delivery. Addressing common concerns, our approach guarantees ease of use, safeguarding participant data while streamlining the procedure. This seamless experience reinforces the importance of maintaining discretion and simplicity in necessary drug testing operations.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Featuring competitive pricing and rapid processing times, our services in Wood River, WI deliver outstanding value to businesses of all sizes. Affordable hair follicle testing ensures that companies do not have to compromise on quality or speed. Swift turnaround on results supports operational efficiency, providing peace of mind and reinforcing commitment to workplace safety without breaking the budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wood River, WI, the demand for swift, accurate drug screening results is met by hair follicle tests. Unlike other methods, these tests ensure precision and speed, maintaining high accuracy in detecting recent and past substance use. Organizations benefit from timely feedback, aiding in informed decision-making. The expedited process of hair follicle screening offers a compelling advantage for those requiring reliable and prompt outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Through the application of hair follicle testing in Wood River, WI, employers can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace mandates, mitigating legal and safety risks. This testing method aligns with compliance requirements, providing assurance and peace of mind. The robust reliability of hair tests supports organizations in their commitment to maintain a secure, drug-free workplace environment, prioritizing both employee welfare and statutory obligations.

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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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