Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brookfield, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is esteemed as an effective resource in detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by trapping biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When hair is harvested close to the scalp, it can reveal up to about a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch collection of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil thickness) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" is specifically scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test outcomes involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary swift test for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, positive results require confirmation for court acceptance. Samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conformity to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screening can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• Cheating deterrence: Hair drug tests are very hard to deceive, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: The test can show a pattern of drug use over an extended period, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests in Brookfield, IL, with its superior detection capabilities. Its extended detection window and high reliability make it a preferred choice for those seeking accurate results.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages, showcasing high reliability for employers and entities in Brookfield, IL. Its accurate detection methods lead the way in substance testing.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Brookfield, IL benefit from a broad detection timeframe with hair follicle testing, capturing up to 90 days of drug use history. This in-depth insight aids in better assessing a candidate's substance behaviors.

Hair follicle tests provide a longer detection period, up to 90 days, allowing Brookfield, IL employers a comprehensive view of applicants' drug history. It plays a crucial role in making informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Brookfield, IL, offers a tamper-resistant option that ensures samples remain intact. This method significantly minimizes risks of tampering, supporting the integrity of results.

With a robust resistance to adulteration, hair follicle testing in Brookfield, IL provides indisputable findings. Its secure process ensures reliability, giving users peace of mind about accurate substance use detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Located nationwide, testing centers in Brookfield, IL, provide unmatched convenience. With accessible locations, these centers offer seamless access to testing with minimal hassle, meeting local and wide-reaching needs efficiently.

Residents of Brookfield, IL, benefit from easily accessible testing centers. Our nationwide reach translates to straightforward and efficient drug testing services, maximizing convenience and ease for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Brookfield, IL is characterized by its simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to be user-friendly while respecting privacy concerns.

In Brookfield, IL, the hair follicle testing process offers a straightforward and private experience. Clients can confidently order and receive their results, assured of confidentiality throughout the entire procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing structures combined with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Brookfield, IL an economical and efficient choice for businesses of all sizes, ensuring valuable and reliable results.

Brookfield, IL businesses benefit from competitive prices and quick returns when choosing hair follicle testing. Outstanding value and timely results accommodate the diverse needs of companies large and small.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Brookfield, IL, hair follicle drug testing provides swift and precise results, setting a high standard in accuracy for identifying substance use. With their thorough analysis, these tests ensure trustworthy and dependable outcomes.

Recognized for both its speed and precision, hair follicle testing in Brookfield, IL, excels in delivering consistent and accurate assessments. It stands out in its ability to reliably detect signs of drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Brookfield, IL, can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method supports comprehensive safety strategies, mitigating legal concerns and enhancing the working environment.

Ensuring adherence to drug policies is streamlined with hair follicle testing in Brookfield, IL. This reliable method aligns with employers' objectives of maintaining safety and legal compliance, promoting peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Brookfield, IL

Forest View, IL

Countryside, IL

Broadview, IL

Western Springs, IL

Westchester, IL

Lyons, IL

McCook, IL

North Riverside, IL

Riverside, IL

La Grange, IL

La Grange Park, IL

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews