Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Augusta, IL

What it is, How it works

Seen as a potent tool, hair testing is invaluable for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term history by embedding biomarkers in the hair's growing fibers. If collected near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month period for alcohol and drug detection. It's easy to gather, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equal portion of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The four primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning begins with entering a sample into the lab's system. This process confirms the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any additional data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a rapid preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed to be valid in court. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at much reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug screening is among the toughest methodologies to conduct.

Positive screening confirmations occur through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo a cleaning as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as much as 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Difficult to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, resulting in more accurate outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to surface in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variation: Elements such as hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Augusta, IL

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair samples provide extensive insight into past substance use. Their detection reach is superior, offering a longer window for employers in Augusta to accurately review any employee's or candidate's history. Ultimately, hair testing's reliability and accuracy make it a more trusted solution compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Augusta, IL

Employers in Augusta benefit greatly from the extended detection capability of hair follicle testing, observing drug use up to 90 days prior. This approach provides them with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, allowing for better-informed hiring decisions and company policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Augusta, IL

Hair follicle testing is a robust solution against sample tampering. In Augusta, IL, this method significantly reduces adulteration risk, offering dependable and conclusive results for various stakeholders, ensuring confidence in the integrity of drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Augusta, IL

Our testing centers are strategically positioned nationwide, including in Augusta, IL, providing quick and simplified access to testing services. This widespread availability encourages seamless integration into routine operations, making the process as smooth as possible for businesses and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Augusta, IL

The process for hair follicle testing in Augusta is straightforward and discreet. From appointment scheduling to result acquisition, the emphasis on privacy ensures each step remains concealed and uncomplicated, addressing any concerns over personal confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Augusta, IL

We offer competitive pricing structures in Augusta, IL, ensuring cost-effectiveness for businesses of all sizes. Complemented by a fast result turnaround, our services provide significant value, enabling organizations to maintain peace of mind and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Augusta, IL

The hair follicle drug test stands out for its precision and quickness. It detects past substance use with a high degree of accuracy, proving invaluable for workplaces seeking reliable results. Additionally, it delivers findings expediently, ensuring Augusta, IL businesses operate smoothly and confidently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Augusta, IL

By implementing hair follicle tests, Augusta employers achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method mitigates legal risks and fosters a safer work environment, granting peace of mind knowing that stringent standards are consistently upheld.

Drug Testing Near Augusta, 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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