Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bardolph, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective approach for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands possess the ability to capture biomarkers, providing a comprehensive history of substance use over extended periods. When collected near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection window of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. The collection process is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.

A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG and extended panels exceeding ten tests, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. It is important to note that references to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types, such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The key stages in the laboratory handling of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory's processes. This step includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for drug presence. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most cases, any positive findings require confirmation to be legally valid. Samples exhibiting presumptive positives during Screening need secondary verification.

In instances of presumptive positives detected during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This step involves retrieving drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmed results of positive screenings rely on GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter window of urine tests.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug audit is notably challenging, yielding more reliable outcomes.
• Chronological overview: It illustrates a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Higher costs: Hair drug evaluations are typically costlier compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors including hair color and individual differences in growth influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bardolph, IL

• Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy.
• Reliability is enhanced compared to traditional methods.
• Provides a distinct advantage in drug use identification.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bardolph, IL

• Hair follicle tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days.
• Employers benefit from a comprehensive view of substance history.
• This longer period provides assurance in screening reliability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bardolph, IL

• Hair follicle tests minimize sample adulteration risks.
• Results remain reliable and unquestionable.
• Security in testing is significantly increased.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bardolph, IL

• Our vast reach of testing centers is unmatched.
• Local centers make testing convenient and accessible.
• Quick and easy access to testing services is provided.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bardolph, IL

• The process remains confidential and straightforward.
• Ordering and receiving results is effortless.
• Privacy concerns are addressed comprehensively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bardolph, IL

• Competitive pricing is central to our service offering.
• Turnaround times are fast and efficient.
• Ideal for companies seeking value and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bardolph, IL

• Hair follicle tests provide speedy, dependable results.
• Precision in identifying substances used enhances their credibility.
• These tests ensure timely and trustworthy outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bardolph, IL

• Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free policies.
• Reduces legal risks for employers effectively.
• Enhances workplace safety with reliable screenings.

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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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