Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brimfield, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now widely regarded as a significant method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged profile of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When cut close to the scalp, hair can present up to roughly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch specimen comprising approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels above 10, a quantity of 150mg is suggested. We advise measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When speaking of head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory progression of a drug test encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the introductory processing of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This includes confirming that the sample was suitably sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a financially prudent method to negate substance usage on the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court acceptability. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening demand a subsequent verification.

Should a sample exhibit a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this phase, substances are extracted from hair at considerably lower levels than with alternative techniques (ex. urine or oral fluid), hence hair substance screening is notably challenging to execute.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleansed before verification if necessary. The entire laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection duration: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage extending to 90 days, in contrast to urine assessments which maintain a shorter detection period.
• Cheating is very difficult: It is notably challenging to falsify a hair drug test, augmenting the reliability of results.
• Offers historical insights: It can delineate a timeline of drug consumption over a duration, rather than just current usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically costlier than other drug testing procedures.
• Result discrepancies: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug residues in the hair.

Note: Although commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When weighing the benefits of hair versus urine tests in Brimfield, IL, hair testing emerges superior in pinpointing substance use with accuracy and reliability. Hair tests deliver insights over a longer span, unlike the short period urine samples cover.

Employers seeking precise information appreciate the unquestionable reliability of hair testing. Its expansive detection window and minimal chance of falsification exceed what traditional urine tests can offer.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Brimfield, IL, boast an extended detection window of up to 90 days, making them invaluable for employers seeking detailed insights into a person's drug use history. Such span outshines the limited detection period of conventional methods.

This prolonged period benefits organizations by revealing sustained substance use trends rather than just isolated occurrences, helping to ensure responsible hiring and monitoring practices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Brimfield, IL, offers a significant edge over other methods in terms of being tamper-resistant. This reliable technique nearly eliminates adulteration risks, thus guaranteeing unparalleled results that are trustworthy and precise.

The way samples are collected and analyzed makes it inherently difficult to compromise the test integrity, ensuring results are legitimate and resistant to external manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing makes it easy for Brimfield, IL, residents to access our services, thanks to multiple convenient testing locations nationwide. This network ensures quick, effortless, and stress-free access to drug testing centers.

Whether locally or across state lines, choosing us guarantees you access to a variety of testing locations that simplify the drug screening process with minimal hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process for ordering and conducting hair tests in Brimfield, IL, is simple and confidential, addressing concerns about privacy and ensuring a straightforward experience. Clients can rest assured knowing their information remains secure.

From placing an order to obtaining results, each step is streamlined to emphasize ease of use, removing complexities commonly associated with drug testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle tests in Brimfield, IL, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality. Our rapid turnaround times further enhance the value for organizations of every size.

By providing affordable solutions coupled with reliable performance, we cater to businesses aiming for economical yet thorough drug testing approaches.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Brimfield, IL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and accuracy, ensuring reliable results in substance detection. This testing method is adept at analyzing samples with great precision, offering individuals and employers peace of mind through definitive results.

Offering fast turnarounds, hair tests quickly produce outcomes without sacrificing detail or authenticity. Individuals can trust the swiftness of results, which aids timely decision-making for substance use inquiries.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Brimfield, IL, organizations benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This approach not only reduces legal exposure but also fosters a culture that prioritizes safety and compliance.

Employers appreciate the peace of mind and security that hair testing offers, enhancing workplace safety by maintaining a professional environment free from substance misuse.

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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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