Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Abingdon, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective means to detect drug and alcohol use. Hair serves as a long-term record by capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to approximately 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) right by the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advised to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four core steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the initial sample processing into a laboratory’s system. This involves confirming the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court validity. All samples that screen positive require additional confirmation.

If the sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with the shorter window of urine tests.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It can show a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Tests in Abingdon, IL is a topic gaining attention. Compared to more conventional urine analyses, hair testing has far superior detection accuracy and reliability. Employers are making this switch due to the longer detection window and the dependable results extracted from analyzing hair samples over any countless challenges of urine testing methodologies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a defining factor when evaluating hair follicle testing in Abingdon, IL. These tests capture up to 90 days of drug usage, distinguishing them from briefer windows found in urine tests. This extended window provides employers a thorough insight into an individual's drug history, enhancing informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method makes hair follicle testing a trustworthy option in Abingdon, IL. Hair samples significantly lower the likelihood of tampering or adulteration that urine testing can fall victim to. This reliability ensures test results that can be confidently trusted by all stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Locations ensure an effortless testing experience in Abingdon, IL. Our vast network of testing centers means quick and hassle-free access. This accessibility saves time while providing flexibility for users to choose from convenient locales close to their daily routes or workplaces.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process is at the core of hair follicle testing in Abingdon, IL. Ordering, conducting the test, and receiving results remain strictly confidential, offering users peace of mind. This straightforward method respects individual privacy while delivering accurate substance use assessments.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround keep hair follicle testing within reach for businesses in Abingdon, IL. Competitive pricing structures coupled with brief turnaround times ensure excellent value, reassuring companies of all sizes of a good investment without sacrificing reliability or timeliness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, Reliable Results set hair follicle tests apart. In Abingdon, IL, their precision ensures exact substance detection, giving clear advantages over traditional methods. The rapidity of obtaining results marries perfectly with their meticulousness, turning them into a top choice for individuals needing reliable drug testing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Abingdon, IL begins with hair follicle testing. Adhering to workplace drug-free policies reduces legal risks and elevates safety standards. Employers gain assurance, knowing they are taking the right step in maintaining a compliant and efficient drug testing program.

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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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