Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Campus, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a comprehensive timeline of substance use by preserving biomarkers within the growing hair strands. When cut near the scalp, hair offers up to an estimated 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

An ideal sample for screening and confirmation consists of a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, providing 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into the laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial evaluation for substances of abuse. It is an economical approach for ruling out drug use in most cases; however, a positive screening result must be confirmed to hold up in court. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for further preparation in the Extraction step. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is a more complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any screening positive results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair analyses can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, contrasting with shorter detection windows in urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is significantly challenging, which enhances result accuracy.
• Records historical usage: It provides insights into long-term drug use patterns, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Campus, IL, hair follicle testing is gaining recognition over traditional urine tests due to its superiority in detection and reliability. The benefits of hair testing lie in its extended detection window and difficulty to adulterate. While urine tests remain effective for recent use detection, hair tests offer more comprehensive insights into an individual's history, proving invaluable for employers requiring thorough screenings.
Comparison Advantages

• Extended timeline for usage detection.
• Virtually impossible to manipulate.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Campus, IL, provides a profound advantage with its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, reaching up to 90 days. This extended window allows employers a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's drug use history, crucial for maintaining a safe and compliant workspace. The method's longevity ensures a detailed account of past behaviors.

Extended Detection

• Sees up to three months into past usage.
• Vital for comprehensive assessment of substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Campus, IL, hair follicle tests minimize the risk of sample tampering, ensuring authentic and unquestionable results. The process of acquiring and analyzing hair samples is significantly less prone to manipulation compared to other methods. This robustness provides trust and confidence in the accuracy of drug testing outcomes.

Tamper Resistance

• Reduced likelihood of adulteration.
• Ensures trustworthy outcomes every time.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Across Campus, IL, and nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing's convenient locations make accessing hair follicle testing seamless and hassle-free. With numerous centers, obtaining the needed services is simplified, ensuring timely results for individuals and organizations alike. Our widespread presence guarantees accessible testing no matter where you are based.

Nationwide Access

• Multiple esteemed centers across the nation.
• Quick and efficient testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Campus, IL, the process of ordering and conducting a hair follicle test is both simple and confidential. Our streamlined approach ensures that privacy is respected throughout, from the moment a test is scheduled to when results are received. Our secure protocols ease privacy concerns while maintaining simplicity and efficiency.

Streamlined Process

• Easy scheduling with minimal hassle.
• Confidential handling of results and personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Campus, IL, prides itself on offering competitive pricing along with swift turnaround times, ensuring exceptional value. Our cost-effective approach makes high-quality hair follicle testing accessible to businesses of all sizes, providing peace of mind through efficient service and affordability, critical to maintaining budgets.

Value and Speed

• Budget-friendly pricing options.
• Prompt delivery of results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

When it comes to accurate and rapid results, hair follicle drug testing stands out in Campus, IL. The precision of this method ensures the reliable detection of substance use, delivering trustworthy results promptly. Hair follicle tests efficiently identify a broad array of substances, offering high accuracy levels that are crucial for employment or legal requirements.
High Accuracy

• Capable of detecting multiple substances with precision.
• Ideal for various professional or legal scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Campus, IL, hair follicle testing offers employers not just accuracy but also compliance and peace of mind. The method aligns with rigorous workplace drug policies, mitigating legal risks and promoting safety. By adopting hair testing, organizations enhance their commitment to a drug-free environment.

Compliance Benefits

• Adheres to drug-free policies consistently.
• Boosts workplace safety, diminishing liability.

Drug Testing Near Campus, IL

Essex, IL

Odell, IL

Gardner, IL

Herscher, IL

East Brooklyn, IL

Saunemin, IL

South Wilmington, IL

Cullom, IL

Union Hill, IL

Dwight, IL

Kempton, IL

Buckingham, IL

Reddick, IL

Cabery, IL

Emington, 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