Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bannockburn, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides an extended timeline of substance usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair samples can reveal drug and alcohol usage history for up to nearly three months. This type of testing is straightforward to collect, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

An ideal hair sample for both initial screening and additional confirmation consists of a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, amounting to 100mg. For EtG, extra tests, and/or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is preferred. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. In this context, "head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab analysis of drug testing results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning incorporates the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system, including ensuring the sample was securely sealed and correctly shipped, attributing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and adding any missing data not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial brief assessment for substance abuse. It’s an economical way to rule out drug use in most samples. Yet, a positive screen requires additional confirmation to be considered viable in legal contexts. Any presumptive positives found during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

When a specimen tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is retrieved from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at a substantially reduced concentration compared to other methods such as urine or saliva tests, explaining why hair drug analysis is notably challenging to conduct.

Confirmed positive results from Screening are verified through techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before verification as necessary. The end-to-end lab validation from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use over a 90-day span, unlike urine tests which offer a limited detection period.
• Cheating resistance: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to tamper with, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Historical insight: They offer insight into drug consumption patterns over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair samples.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bannockburn, IL

• Hair follicle tests excel in accuracy, detecting drug use over a long period, unlike traditional urine tests.
• Experience the reliability of hair analysis which sees past attempts of evasion.
• The greater accuracy of hair tests supports comprehensive drug policy enforcement.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bannockburn, IL

• Hair follicle testing shines with its extended detection window, identifying substance use up to 90 days.
• Get a complete view of drug history for better employment decision-making.
• This method enables employers to gain a more profound understanding of a person's substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bannockburn, IL

• Hair follicle testing minimizes risks of tampering, offering trustworthy results immune to manipulation.
• Provides a reliable method preferred by those who demand verification and integrity.
• Reduces adulteration chances, ensuring the accuracy of the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bannockburn, IL

• Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide offers unmatched convenience.
• Access reliable testing services easily, right within your local area.
• Simplified testing procedures available at close-to-home facilities ensure a hassle-free process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bannockburn, IL

• The testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality, respecting privacy throughout.
• Order, provide samples, and receive results with ease and discretion.
• We focus on secure handling, making the process clear and confidential.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bannockburn, IL

• Enjoy competitive pricing alongside quick turnaround times for our drug testing services.
• Get the best value for money, regardless of your company size.
• Fast service delivery without sacrificing accuracy or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bannockburn, IL

• Hair follicle drug tests deliver swift and precise outcomes, highly reliable for detecting substance use.
• The tests ensure excellent accuracy, providing dependable results you can count on.
• Trust our services for timely testing and detailed substance information.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bannockburn, IL

• Hair follicle testing aids in adhering to workplace drug-free protocols, minimizing legal exposure.
• Enhances workplace safety through reliable drug screening methods.
• Employers experience peace of mind using hair tests to ensure transparent employee practices.

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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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