Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bonnie, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting substance consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of drug and alcohol use by incorporating biomarkers into the fiber of hair strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to nearly 3 months for substances. It is straightforward to collect hair, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp results in 100mg of hair, the prime sample size for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG or extended panel tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. 'Head hair' pertains to scalp hair only, while 'body hair' includes all other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step verifies that the sample has been correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data input absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as an initial quick assessment for prohibited drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further validation.

When a sample indicates a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to alternate methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence why hair drug testing is among the most challenging techniques to execute.

Suspected positive screening outcomes are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have brief detection windows.
• Resistance to manipulation: It's exceptionally difficult to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more credible outcomes.
• Historical substance usage insight: Provides an overview of substance use patterns over time instead of only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become measurable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Parameters such as hair pigmentation and individual differences in hair growth rates can influence the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle residing under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers notable advantages over traditional urine tests in Bonnie, IL. Its superior detection window grants a more comprehensive overview of substance use, surpassing the short-term nature of urine tests.

With hair testing, the likelihood of identifying frequent or sporadic drug use within 90 days is higher. This aspect makes it remarkably reliable for employers who enforce stringent drug-free workplace policies and want certainty in their screening process.

Extended Detection Window

In Bonnie, IL, hair follicle testing's extended detection window is unmatched, covering up to 90 days of drug use history. This long detection period gives employers unique insights into an individual's substance use patterns.

Such a comprehensive view enables businesses to make informed hiring or disciplinary decisions. Hair testing allows employers to grasp a detailed scope of both regular and intermittent drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Bonnie, IL, is known for its tamper-resistant properties, making it a superior choice for reliable drug testing. The test's design significantly diminishes chances of sample adulteration.

Ensuring the integrity of the collected specimen is crucial. Hair tests eliminate risks associated with conventional methods, providing trusted outcomes for informed decisions in various organizational settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's expansive network ensures convenient access to hair follicle drug testing in Bonnie, IL. Our extensive local and nationwide testing centers simplify the process, providing quick service.

With accessible locations, scheduling a hair test is straightforward, offering minimal inconvenience. The availability of these services ensures prompt and hassle-free access, saving time for both employers and candidates.

Simple, Confidential Process

The drug testing process in Bonnie, IL, is both simple and confidential, addressing people's privacy concerns. Step-by-step instructions guide individuals through each aspect, from ordering to collecting and receiving results.

An emphasis on confidentiality secures user data. The smooth testing procedure provides ease, reinforcing confidence and maintaining the privacy of all involved parties from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Bonnie, IL, is both affordable and efficient. Businesses benefit from excellent value, ensuring cost-effective solutions to testing needs.

Affordable rates coupled with fast result delivery enhance satisfaction for companies aiming for diligence without financial strain. The strategic pricing structure addresses employer demands for efficiency and economy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bonnie, IL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision in exposing substance use. These tests boast an impressive accuracy level, ensuring quick and dependable results that cater to both employers and employees alike.

With hair testing, one can confidently trust the data generated, as the methodology is designed for superior detection capabilities, verifying use seamlessly within seconds of analysis, thereby enhancing trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing in Bonnie, IL, allows employers to confidently adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal liabilities by ensuring policy compliance.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing hair testing delivers accurate substance verification. It's an essential factor in maintaining safety, improving workplace efficiency, and securing legal safety nets and standards.

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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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