Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashton, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures and retains biomarkers within the strands, offering an extended record of substance use. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month timeline for alcohol and drug detection. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprised of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. When speaking of head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in lab processing for a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning addresses the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. It entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any ancillary data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug use. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified to hold up in court. Any samples showing likely positive results in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter window.
• Hard to alter: Altering results of a hair drug test is quite difficult, enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent exposure.

Limitations:

• Incapability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers superior benefits in Ashton, IL compared to conventional urine tests. The accuracy and reliability of hair testing surpass that of urine assessments, providing a clearer detection of drug use.

With a much longer detection span, hair follicle tests in Ashton, IL effectively reveal substance use history, giving employers and authorities confidence in their results. This method consistently proves its worth over traditional urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests provide the advantage of a longer detection window in Ashton, IL, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This extended window offers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance habits.

Employers in Ashton, IL benefit from the long detection window of hair follicle testing, as it offers a complete picture of an applicant's or employee's past drug use, aiding in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Ashton, IL, hair follicle testing is renowned for its resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, this test effectively minimizes the risk of sample tampering, ensuring unquestionable and reliable results.

With hair follicle tests, Ashton, IL has a testing method that stands strong against adulteration attempts. This method secures the integrity of the results, providing peace of mind to both employers and individuals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient access to testing services is available in Ashton, IL, thanks to our extensive network of nationwide testing centers. This setup ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free testing experiences.

Whether local or national, our testing centers in Ashton, IL provide seamless services. Our comprehensive network allows individuals and companies to access tests rapidly and conveniently.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ashton, IL, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. The straightforward procedure covers ordering, testing, and receiving results, ensuring privacy and ease.

With a streamlined process in Ashton, IL, hair follicle testing assures confidentiality and simplicity from start to finish, addressing privacy concerns effectively for individuals and companies.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing structures in Ashton, IL make hair follicle testing both affordable and valuable. Quick turnaround times ensure that companies of any size can efficiently utilize these services.

Providing excellent value, our hair follicle tests in Ashton, IL offer speedy results alongside cost-effective pricing. This combination delivers peace of mind to companies seeking reliable testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ashton, IL, hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and speed. These tests deliver high accuracy in identifying substance use, providing quick and reliable results that help employers make informed decisions.

With hair follicle testing, individuals can count on receiving fast and consistent results. This testing ensures that substance use is detected efficiently, offering assurance to all parties involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Ashton, IL ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, promoting safety and legal protection. Employing this method can significantly reduce the risk of legal complications.

For employers in Ashton, IL, hair follicle testing offers a safeguard. Adhering to drug-free policies through reliable tests enhances workplace safety and reduces potential liabilities.

Drug Testing Near Ashton, IL

West Brooklyn, IL

Amboy, IL

Oregon, IL

Eldena, IL

Scarboro, IL

Lee Center, IL

Steward, IL

Grand Detour, IL

Hillcrest, IL

Lee, IL

Rochelle, IL

Lost Nation, IL

Chana, IL

Reynolds, IL

Franklin Grove, IL

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