Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bartlett, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to a roughly 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, harder to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and confirmation. For EtG enhancements and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab's system. It ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry that might not be provided by an electronic tracking system.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation for it to be legally admissible. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

For samples that test presumptively positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are derived from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, versus urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to circumvent: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Supplies historical data: It can indicate a usage pattern over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapacity to detect recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than other drug testing options.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can affect the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis truly examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bartlett, IL

Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests through greater detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests retain drug evidence for up to 90 days, providing an extensive window for identifying substance use, which is particularly beneficial in enforcing strict drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bartlett, IL

The ability of hair follicle tests to detect drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days, offers employers in Bartlett, IL, an in-depth view of an individual's substance use history. This extended period is invaluable in assessing and maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bartlett, IL

Hair follicle tests substantially reduce the likelihood of sample tampering, ensuring reliable results. The method's resistance to adulteration makes it a preferred choice for employers in Bartlett, IL, seeking unquestionable accuracy in their drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bartlett, IL

Our network of nationwide and local testing centers, including options in Bartlett, IL, provides fast and hassle-free access to drug testing services. This convenience ensures quick results and efficient testing experience for clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bartlett, IL

The process for hair follicle testing in Bartlett, IL, is straightforward and private. From ordering to results, confidentiality is maintained throughout, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring a user-friendly experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bartlett, IL

Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times offer excellent value to companies in Bartlett, IL, regardless of size. This efficiency aids businesses in maintaining a drug-free environment promptly and cost-effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bartlett, IL

Hair follicle drug tests deliver precision and speed unmatched by other methods. With a high degree of accuracy in detecting substances, hair testing ensures that employers in Bartlett, IL, receive trustworthy results promptly, facilitating informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bartlett, IL

Implementing hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free workplace policies, providing employers in Bartlett, IL, peace of mind. By ensuring compliance and reducing legal risks, these tests enhance overall workplace safety.

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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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