Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bureau Junction, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means of identifying substance use, providing a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by securing biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair allows for a detection window of up to around three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will weigh about 100mg, which is the optimum sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We recommend weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. Reference to head hair pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (such as facial and axillary).

Overview of the Process

The drug test laboratory process involves four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the primary processing of a sample into a lab's system. It verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, quick check for substances, serving as an economical approach to rule out drug usage in most samples, though a positive result requires confirmation to be legally accepted. Samples suspected to be positive during Screening need further confirmation.

Should a specimen emerge as presumptively positive in the Screening, additional hair from the original sample is used for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques.

The Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples assumed to be positive undergo a wash before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review through both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection range.
• Difficulty in falsification: Altering a hair drug test is profoundly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Reflects historical usage: It elucidates a pattern of substance use over a timeframe, beyond immediate usage.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to be visible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug examination approaches.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and personal growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Notice: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the assessment examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superior Detection: In Bureau Junction, IL, hair follicle testing is becoming the preferred choice due to its superior detection capabilities compared to urine tests. Hair tests provide more reliable evidence of drug use over an extended period.

Enhanced Accuracy: Hair tests surpass urine testing in accuracy due to the extended detection timeline and minimal risk of tampering, making them the go-to option for compliance-driven environments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Window: Hair follicle testing in Bureau Junction, IL gives employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug usage history. Its ability to detect substances up to 90 days is especially valuable for zero-tolerance policies.

Insightful Assessment: With its extensive detection period, hair testing offers a more complete view of one's past behavior, thus aiding employers in making informed choices regarding potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing: Hair follicle tests in Bureau Junction, IL minimize the chances of tampering, offering an almost foolproof method of obtaining trustworthy results. Due to this, they are preferred for ensuring authenticity in results.

Unquestionable Validity: The effectiveness of hair testing in deterring sample manipulation helps maintain the integrity of drug testing protocols in various professional scenarios.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Convenience: With testing centers spread across the country, including Bureau Junction, IL, accessing our hair follicle testing services is both convenient and fast.

Easy Accessibility: Our widespread presence ensures that whether locally or nationally, individuals can obtain the testing services they need without undue hassle or travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless Process: Conducting a hair follicle test in Bureau Junction, IL is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step is designed to respect privacy and ensure ease of access.

Confidential Results: The streamlined approach ensures that the process remains private and user-friendly, shielding sensitive information while delivering essential data efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing: Bureau Junction, IL offers hair follicle testing with affordable pricing structures, ensuring excellent value for companies of varying sizes, combined with fast turnaround times.

Excellent Value: Our cost-effective testing solutions are designed to fit different budget needs without compromising on result accuracy or timeliness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed: Hair follicle drug testing in Bureau Junction, IL ensures rapid and accurate results. The advanced analysis techniques used in these tests allow for a higher rate of detection than traditional methods, offering precise insights into substance use.

Reliable Outcomes: The reliability of hair testing methods provides peace of mind to employers, knowing that results accurately reflect any substance use history, thus supporting informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance Assured: Hair follicle testing in Bureau Junction, IL supports employers in maintaining drug-free workplaces, thus aligning with legal standards while mitigating risks related to workplace drug use.

Peaceful Operation: Employers experience enhanced peace of mind knowing they have adhered to safety regulations, potentially reducing liability and fostering a safe, substance-free 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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