Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Berwyn, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol intake. By embedding biomarkers within the growing hair fibers, hair provides a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug consumption over time. When collected near the scalp, hair offers an estimated detection window of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG assessments, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to gather 150mg of the sample. Employ a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a proportional amount of body hair may be used. References to head hair specifically concern scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in laboratory processing leading to a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that return presumptive positives require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, compared to urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Challenging to evade: Evading a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, ensuring more precise results.
• Historical insight: It can track a pattern of drug use over time, as opposed to merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug-testing techniques.
• Result variability: Influences such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine testing in Berwyn, IL. The superior detection accuracy of hair tests allows for a more comprehensive assessment of one's drug use history. Unlike urine tests, which are susceptible to manipulation and provide a shorter detection window, hair tests deliver dependable results that clients and organizations can trust for informed decision-making.

Extended Detection Window

The key strength of hair follicle testing in Berwyn, IL, lies in its extended detection window. Capable of identifying substance use for up to 90 days, it provides a detailed overview of a person's substance history. This advantage is crucial for employers seeking a thorough understanding of potential employees' drug habits, ensuring informed hiring decisions based on comprehensive data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Berwyn, IL, provide a tamper-resistant method for drug screening. These tests significantly reduce the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring that results remain reliable and incontestable. With observed sample collection procedures, hair tests maintain integrity across the board, offering trust and security for all involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations in Berwyn, IL, and across the nation, accessing hair follicle testing services is a breeze. Our expansive network ensures that individuals and companies encounter minimal hassle when scheduling and completing tests. This accessibility translates to swift, uncomplicated service, matching the fast-paced demands of modern workplaces.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of undergoing hair follicle testing in Berwyn, IL, is remarkably simple and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting the sample and receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use. Concerns about confidentiality are addressed with robust measures that guarantee user data is handled with the utmost care and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Berwyn, IL, our hair follicle testing services provide great value. Competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses of every size can access top-tier drug screening services without breaking the bank, while fast delivery of results ensures that decisions can be made promptly and confidently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Berwyn, IL, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their precision and speed. These tests excel in their ability to detect substances accurately, offering fast and dependable results. The process of analyzing a hair sample is straightforward and yields highly reliable outcomes, making it a preferred option for individuals and employers who prioritize accuracy in drug testing measures.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Berwyn, IL, hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to stringent drug-free workplace policies, companies reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety. Such tests play a critical role in maintaining a safe, productive environment, fostering trust, and securing both employer and employee interests.

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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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