Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Broughton, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of substance use by securing biomarkers within the structure of the expanding hair strand. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can reveal evidence of alcohol and drug use up to roughly a 3-month timeframe. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, supplements, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It's beneficial to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s balance. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. The term head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses any other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The core phases in the laboratory evaluation of a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Validation.

Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample upon its entry into a lab's system. This process confirms the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial expedited examination for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening must be validated to stand up in legal proceedings. All samples that are presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a subsequent validation.

Should a sample test as presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. At this step, drugs are retrieved from hair at a notably lower concentration than other techniques (compared to urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Validation of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples classified as presumptive positives undergo washing before validation if required. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Validation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can trace drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests which offer a much briefer detection period.
• High integrity: The difficulty of manipulating a hair drug test makes the results more reliable.
• Presents historical information: It can chart a history of drug consumption over time, not just recent intake.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent intake: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses are typically more costly than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug residues in the hair.

Note: Commonly mislabeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Broughton, IL outperforms traditional urine tests in several ways. The accuracy and reliability of hair over urine testing are evident in its ability to detect drugs over a prolonged period. This ensures a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's substance use history, enhancing decision-making for employers and authorities.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy, largely because recent substance use is less likely to remain undetected. These tests are less susceptible to tampering, offering clear advantages over urine tests, which can be easily manipulated.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Broughton, IL offers extended detection capabilities. This method screens for drug use up to 90 days prior, significantly longer than urine tests. Employers have the advantage of a more in-depth view into a person's substance use history, promoting informed decisions when hiring or maintaining workplace safety.

With hair testing's extended window, episodic substance use that would typically go undetected in urine testing becomes evident, providing a broader overview of past drug use patterns and fostering a safer work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Broughton, IL minimizes risks associated with sample adulteration. By offering trustworthy results that withstand manipulation attempts, these tests assure employers and legal bodies of the integrity of their findings.

Hair samples are collected in an observed process, which significantly reduces the chance of tampering. This rigorous method ensures that results are reliable, leaving no room for doubt in the test's accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the drug testing process in Broughton, IL with a convenient network of nationwide testing centers. Our centers ensure hassle-free, quick access to testing services, making it easy for employers and individuals to fulfill their testing requirements.

Our local and nationwide coverage ensures that wherever you are, testing services are within reach. This widespread accessibility underscores our commitment to convenience and efficiency, aiding prompt and reliable testing throughout the area.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Broughton, IL, we provide a simple, confidential testing process. From ordering to receiving results, confidentiality and ease of use remain paramount. This straightforward approach assures users of privacy while ensuring that their testing experience is smooth and unobtrusive.

By prioritizing simplicity and discretion, Accredited Drug Testing reassures individuals that their information remains secure, and results are provided swiftly with minimal hassle, fostering trust in our testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Broughton, IL affordable and efficient. Our cost-effective approach means businesses of all sizes can leverage our services without strain, receiving rapid, high-quality results.

The economic pricing structure ensures excellent value, allowing organizations to maintain their drug-free policies without excessive cost, thereby enhancing budget management and operational efficacy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Broughton, IL, hair follicle tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests swiftly identify substance use with precision that exceeds expectations. Their highly accurate detection capabilities ensure employers and professionals can trust results that are quickly available, without the long waiting periods typically associated with traditional testing methods.

The speed and precision of hair follicle testing ensure that detecting recent substance use is not only timely but incredibly consistent. Test results give employers and individuals clear insight, instilling confidence that the testing method is robust and dependable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Broughton, IL, using hair follicle testing helps foster compliance and peace of mind for employers. Adopting this testing method ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, thereby reducing legal complications and contributing to a safer working environment.

Hair testing not only elevates safety standards but also reassures employers and employees of the commitment to a drug-free workplace. This proactivity decreases liabilities and enhances overall organizational efficiency.

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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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