Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atlanta, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to three months for substances. The collection process is straightforward, the risk of tampering is relatively low, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. Head hair specifically means scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of processing a sample within a lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and completing any missing data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal proceedings. Presumptive positives in Screening require confirmation through further testing.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid); hence, hair drug analysis is the most intricate to conduct.

Verification of any positive screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug assessments can signal drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably challenging, ensuring reliable results.
• Details usage patterns: It reveals a historical pattern of drug use over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It generally requires 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments typically cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair hue and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", this assessment examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle situated beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Atlanta, IL
The advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests are compelling, with superior detection reliability and accuracy. Hair analyses extend the timeline for detecting substance use, offering a broader snapshot of individual behavior. Unlike urine tests, which provide a limited detection window, hair tests ensure a more comprehensive understanding.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Atlanta, IL
Hair follicle analyses are renowned for their ability to track substance use over a prolonged duration, up to 90 days post-consumption. For employers, this expansive detection window delivers a holistic view of an applicant or employee's substance usage patterns, offering invaluable insights that short-term tests cannot provide.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Atlanta, IL
Hair follicle testing stands as a robust deterrent against tampering, offering unalterable results that withstand scrutiny. This testing method drastically minimizes any risk of sample tampering or adulteration. It provides reassuring consistency and dependability, fostering trust in the results gathered through this process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Atlanta, IL
Our expansive network of testing facilities nationwide, including Atlanta, IL, guarantees swift and stress-free access to drug testing services. Accessible from any major city, these locations underscore our commitment to convenience and availability, ensuring testing needs are met swiftly and effortlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Atlanta, IL
The process for arranging, executing, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and discreet. Privacy concerns are top priority, providing seamless user experience without compromising personal data or comfort, assuring confidentiality from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Atlanta, IL
Competitive pricing and rapid result delivery define our service, offering compelling value for businesses. From small ventures to large corporations, the cost-effectiveness combined with swift turnaround bolsters transactional ease, giving clients outstanding service without sacrificing quality or efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Atlanta, IL
Hair follicle drug evaluations boast exceptional speed and precision, delivering definitive results. This testing method is unmatched in its capacity to detect even trace amounts of substances, granting peace of mind for those needing swift and precise insights into drug use cases. Its high accuracy level distinguishes it as the best choice for rigorous scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Atlanta, IL
Utilizing hair follicle testing assures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks significantly. It contributes to a safe work environment, enhancing both compliance and peace of mind for companies. Employers benefit from the assurance that they are meeting regulatory standards in maintaining a safe, productive workplace.

Drug Testing Near Atlanta, IL

Kenney, IL

Emden, IL

Minier, IL

Stanford, IL

Hartsburg, IL

Lincoln, IL

Camden, IL

Midland City, IL

Beason, IL

Armington, IL

Waynesville, IL

McLean, 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