Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brighton, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying substance use. Hair strands can preserve a detailed history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands. When sampled near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use over a period that can extend to roughly 3 months. Hair is straightforward to obtain, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

An ideal sample is a 1.5-inch segment of about 200 strands of hair (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, providing a 100mg sample perfect for both preliminary and confirmatory analysis. For EtG, extra considerations, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be obtained. "Head hair" specifies scalp hair exclusively, while "body hair" includes alternative hair types (like facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is recorded within a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs an initial evaluation for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate the possibility of drug use in most cases, a positive screen necessitates verification for legal validity. Samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo further verification.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity at Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial collection and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity are pre-washed for Confirmation, as dictated by requirements. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a briefer detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Tampering with a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Captures usage history: It reveals a drug use trend over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs need about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and unique hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though frequently called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Brighton, IL, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests through enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, creating a more comprehensive substance history profile. This method minimizes the risk of tampering and errors, providing employers and organizations with a superior evaluation tool in their drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle tests in Brighton, IL, is transformative. Capable of identifying drug consumption up to 90 days before testing, this method enables employers to acquire a thorough understanding of a person's substance use history. This prolonged window is instrumental, particularly for organizations wanting consistent drug-free workplace assurance, enabling better informed hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Brighton, IL, stands out for its tamper-resistant features. By significantly lowering the chance of sample tampering, these tests offer reliable outcomes that are hard to dispute. This gives organizations and individuals greater confidence in the results, ensuring that the assessments truly reflect the tested individual's substance use history without interference.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The network of testing centers, including local options in Brighton, IL, makes drug testing with Accredited Drug Testing exceptionally convenient. Regardless of location within the U.S., access to testing services is quick and efficient. This broad availability ensures clients receive seamless service, enabling stress-free entry to essential drug screening wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and undergoing hair follicle tests in Brighton, IL, is a straightforward and confidential process. Accredited Drug Testing ensures privacy every step of the way, from scheduling in Brighton or elsewhere to receiving results. The simplicity of this method reassures clients, allowing them to feel secure knowing their personal information remains confidential throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Brighton, IL, is dedicated to providing affordable pricing and quick test result turnaround. This commitment ensures clients, from individuals to large companies, receive excellent value for their investment. The efficient process ensures timely access to results, enhancing client satisfaction and supporting rapid decision-making where fast results are critical.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Brighton, IL, offer unmatched precision and speed in evaluating substance use. The advanced testing methods ensure a high accuracy rate, setting them apart for their reliable results. Their ability to swiftly and correctly detect various substances provides individuals and organizations with a trustworthy assessment method, ensuring peace of mind in their drug testing processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Brighton, IL employers, hair follicle testing promises compliance and peace of mind regarding workplace drug policies. Using this reliable testing method can secure adherence to drug-free regulations, mitigating potential legal issues. This strengthens overall workplace safety, promptly alerting employers to any substance-related concerns that may affect the work environment.

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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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