Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Barry, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for detecting substance intake. Hair encases long-term drug and alcohol biomarkers within its fibers. When cut near to the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month detection range for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, less easy to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the dimension of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advisable. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves these main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is where the sample is first integrated into a laboratory’s system. This process includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody method.

Screening offers an initial rapid inspection for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screening needs confirmation to be valid in court. All presumption-positive samples in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

In instances where a sample yields a presumptively positive result during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and designated for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, which contrasts with urine tests that offer a shorter detection period.
• Increased difficulty to deceive: Hair drug tests are tough to manipulate, ensuring results are more reliable.
• Supplies historical insights: It affords a history of drug usage over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: A span of approximately 5-7 days is necessary for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to alternate drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer as the test actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Barry, IL outshines urine tests with its superior detection accuracy.

• Long detection window up to 90 days.
• Less invasive and more reliable results.

The advantages over urine tests are clear, with hair testing providing more dependable drug history insights.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Barry, IL provides a comprehensive drug use history.

• Can detect usage from up to 90 days prior.
• Offers a thorough view for employers.

With a longer detection period, hair testing supports more informed decisions regarding employment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Barry, IL is tamper-resistant, minimizing sample adulteration.

• Reduces risks of manipulations or falsifications.
• Ensures authenticity of results.

With its secure method, it offers results that are reliable and trustworthy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing locations, including Barry, IL, provide convenient access.

• Accessible centers ensure ease of use.
• Quick and hassle-free services available.

Local centers support a seamless testing experience, ensuring swift access to testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Barry, IL, the simple and confidential process of hair testing ensures ease and privacy.

• Easy ordering and result receiving.
• Confidentiality upheld at all stages.

Clients appreciate the effortless process and secure handling of their information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing in Barry, IL ensures excellent value.

• Affordable for businesses of all sizes.
• Fast turnaround and reasonable costs.

With quick and cost-effective solutions, companies achieve peace of mind with our services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Barry, IL, hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and speed in detecting substance use.

• High accuracy reduces false positives and negatives.
• Fast processing time ensures prompt results.

The reliability of hair tests surpasses traditional methods, offering peace of mind in knowing the results are both swift and precise.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Barry, IL ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers.

• Adheres to drug-free workplace policies.
• Reduces potential legal liabilities.

Implementing hair testing enhances workplace safety and offers employers assurance.

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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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