Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brocton, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures an extensive timeline of alcohol and drug biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When gathered near the head, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to send.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and any screening over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for accurate weight measurement. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair. Any other hair (facial, axillary, etc.) is termed "body hair."

Process Overview

The main laboratory procedures for processing a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the primer stage where samples are entered into a lab’s system. This phase ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers a preliminary scan for substance abuse. Screening is an affordable method to eliminate drug use across most samples; however, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to hold in legal settings. Those samples flagged as presumptive positives in Screening need an additional verification.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, extra hair from the original sample is extracted for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drug substances are retrieved from hair at lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or saliva), making hair testing the most complex technique for drug analysis.

Confirmation follows any positive screen results via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples receive a pre-confirmation wash as needed. Each laboratory step, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and certified to ISO/IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can uncover drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter window.
• Cheat-resistant: Hair tests are hard to dupe, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Shows usage patterns: Hair tests reveal drug habits over time, unlike recent-only detection.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become apparent in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair testing costs more than other methods.
• Result variance: Individual variabilities, like hair color and growth, can alter drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Brocton, IL, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing with its unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing reveals a comprehensive usage history. Employers favor hair tests as they're almost impossible to falsify, offering a clearer picture of an individual's drug history over an extended period.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Brocton, IL offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This timeframe presents employers with a thorough overview of an individual's substance use pattern, proving invaluable during hiring or employee evaluations. This prolonged window surpasses that of urine tests, capturing broader historical drug usage.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Brocton, IL, hair follicle testing serves as a tamper-resistant method for drug testing. This technique significantly minimizes the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring results are both reliable and unaltered. Its intrinsic design acts as a safeguard against fraudulent results, confirming its dependability and authenticity in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is assured with Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide and local testing centers in Brocton, IL. Our facilities guarantee seamless access to testing services, streamlining the process for individuals and businesses alike. This extensive reach ensures that testing is quick and hassle-free, no matter the location.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Brocton, IL, our simple and confidential process guarantees privacy and ease when ordering, taking, and receiving results of hair follicle tests. The streamlined framework, from test initiation to conclusion, caters to those concerned with maintaining discretion while ensuring comprehensible procedures every step of the way.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Brocton, IL, benefits from the affordable pricing and quick turnaround of hair follicle testing. Our pricing structure ensures value for businesses of every size, complemented by rapid result processing. We aim to balance cost-effectiveness with speed, providing exceptional service without compromising on quality or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Brocton, IL, provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their advanced precision ensures high detection accuracy for substance use. These tests efficiently capture a detailed profile of drug intake, solidifying their reputation for trustworthiness and reliability among employers and individuals seeking honest assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair testing in Brocton, IL, ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, offering peace of mind to employers. By adhering to rigorous testing protocols, legal risks decrease, creating a safer work environment. This peace of mind stems from reliable methods backed by robust detection capabilities and strict procedure adherence.

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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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