Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Altona, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a crucial technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair capture biomarkers within their fibers during growth, providing a substantial historical record of substances. If sampled near the scalp, hair can indicate alcohol and drug consumption over a span of up to roughly three months. This method is straightforward to collect, not easily tampered with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a pencil) found nearest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for testing and validation. For procedures such as EtG, additional testing, or examining beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent sample of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it signifies scalp hair alone. Body hair implies all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core stages involved in laboratory handling of a drug test outcome consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This encompasses confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry that the electronic chain of custody system doesn’t provide.

Screening entails a primary swift examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as an efficient and economic means to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples suspected to be positive during Screening necessitate an additional confirmation process.

If Screening suggests a sample to be positive, extra hair from the original specimen is extracted in preparation for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair, at much reduced concentrations compared to other practices (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug tests the most intricate to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the standards accredited to ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter timeframe.
• Reduced chance of tampering: The difficulty of manipulating a hair drug exam makes its results more dependable.
• Tracks usage patterns: It provides an insight into drug usage trends over time, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not for recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• More expensive: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Result fluctuations: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can alter drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Even though termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand and not the subscalp follicle itself.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Altona, IL, hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests in several aspects:

• Longer detection window—up to 90 days versus days for urine tests.
• More challenging to adulterate compared to urine samples.
• Observed collection process ensures integrity.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Altona, IL is a major advantage.

• Ability to detect drug use up to 90 days back.
• Offers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.
• Ideal for employers needing thorough background checks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Altona, IL, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant option for drug screening.

• Reduces risk of sample adulteration significantly.
• Ensures reliable and unquestionable results.
• Secure collection process monitored carefully.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of convenient nationwide testing locations includes Altona, IL.

• Ensures quick and easy access to testing services.
• Minimizes hassle with a range of accessible centers.
• Streamlined process for local residents and businesses.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Altona, IL is simple and confidential.

• Easy ordering and quick sample collection.
• Results are managed with full confidentiality.
• Dedicated to privacy and user-friendly processes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Altona, IL, we offer affordable pricing and swift service for hair follicle testing.

• Cost-effective pricing structures suitable for all company sizes.
• Quick sample-to-result turnaround times.
• Excellent value with reassured application of results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Altona, IL ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results for detecting substance use.

• High precision in identifying drugs and alcohol.
• Quick turnaround time from sample collection to results.
• High reliability across a variety of substances.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Altona, IL can enjoy compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing.

• Adherence to workplace drug-free policies.
• Reduced legal risks through robust screening processes.
• Boosted workplace safety and security.

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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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