Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashkum, IL

What it is, How it works

Regarded as a potent instrument, hair testing excels in detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term historical record of alcohol and other drugs by securing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. A sample taken close to the scalp can unveil up to a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four key stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was suitably sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a primary swift analysis for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result from Screening must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples considered presumptively positive in Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair from the original sample is extracted and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug testing as the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. From Accessioning through Confirmation, the entire laboratory procedure is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: It is exceptionally challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs generally take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair drug tests tend to be more expensive than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although typically called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ashkum, IL

When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests offer more accurate detection and reliability. Hair testing can trace back drug use over the long term, making it invaluable for those requiring a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance history. It eliminates uncertainties, offering a clearer insight into an individual's drug use habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ashkum, IL

Hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window of up to 90 days, making it an unmatched tool for employers to study an individual's substance history. This extended period far surpasses the limitations of urine tests, facilitating more informed decisions regarding employment and workplace safety in Ashkum, IL.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ashkum, IL

The reliability of hair follicle drug testing stems from its resistance to tampering. This method makes it extremely difficult to alter or falsify samples, assuring employers and legal entities of the authenticity and veracity of test outcomes. This feature ensures that results are trustworthy and free of manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ashkum, IL

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access to hair follicle testing with its numerous centers spread nationwide, including those in Ashkum, IL. This extensive network allows for quick and hassle-free testing experiences, catering to both local and distant demands with ease and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ashkum, IL

Engaging in hair follicle testing is a straightforward and private affair. Customers are assured of discretion from the moment they schedule their test to when they receive their results. This simplicity and confidentiality cater to both personal and professional needs, ensuring privacy and ease throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ashkum, IL

Our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery make hair follicle testing both accessible and valuable for companies of all sizes. The blend of affordability and speed ensures that businesses in Ashkum, IL can make informed decisions without straining their resources, optimizing their operations for better outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ashkum, IL

Hair follicle testing is renowned for its ability to yield fast, precise, and dependable outcomes. Its exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use makes it the ideal choice for critical testing situations. This method ensures that all drug use is accurately detected, providing superior reliability in results that decision-makers in Ashkum, Illinois, can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ashkum, IL

Hair follicle testing can significantly contribute to maintaining drug-free workplace policies, thus providing peace of mind for employers. Utilizing this method reduces legal liabilities and enhances the overall safety in the workplace, fulfilling compliance requirements effortlessly for business owners in Ashkum, IL.

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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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