Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cortland, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair examination has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of substances by imbedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as they grow. When taken near the roots, hair can show evidence of substance use for up to around three months. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal specimen for initial testing and verification. In cases of EtG, additional testing, or panels surpassing ten, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale is advised for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, the same quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial process of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This stage ensures that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not handled by an electronic custody tracking system.

Screening performs an initial rapid test for common drugs. It is a cost-efficient way to exclude substance use in most samples, yet a positive result must be verified for court acceptability. Any samples that show a presumptive positive during Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample returns a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at a significantly lower density than other methods (like urine or saliva), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most complex testing process.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can uncover substance use for as much as 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is exceedingly hard to deceive a hair drug test, leading to more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: The test can reveal a timeline of substance use over an extended period, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the presence of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often coined as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine methods in Cortland, IL, hair tests provide superior detection ability. Unlike urine tests, hair samples deliver a more comprehensive view of substance use, identifying drugs and alcohol usage beyond recent periods. This enhanced detection makes hair tests a more reliable choice for employers seeking a thorough understanding of applicants or employees' substance history.

The hair testing method's unmatched accuracy leaves urine tests behind, providing companies with data that cannot be disputed. This reliability is crucial for organizations enforcing strict drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Cortland, IL is renowned for its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, hair tests can track drug use for up to 90 days, offering a longer snapshot of an individual’s substance history. This extensive period ensures employers gain a well-rounded view, helping to make informed decisions on hiring and maintaining a safe workforce.

This prolonged detection period proves beneficial, especially for organizations committed to understanding substance use patterns in their workforce, thereby supporting a drug-free work environment over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Cortland, IL significantly minimize the risk of tampering, ensuring the integrity of test results. The sample collection process itself is observed and secure, making it challenging for individuals to alter or affect outcomes.

This tamper-resistant quality of hair testing means that employers and authorities can rely on the results as an accurate representation of an individual's substance use history, ensuring the data remains truthful and accountable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a convenient network of testing centers nationwide, including local options in Cortland, IL, Accredited Drug Testing ensures streamlined and accessible testing services. This accessibility aims to eliminate the hassle for employers, providing quick and easy testing experiences while maintaining high-quality service standards.

Our widespread locations mean that no matter where your business operates, efficient testing services are readily available, reinforcing the commitment to workplace safety and compliance.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Cortland, IL is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. Ordering, undergoing the test, and receiving your results is designed to be hassle-free, offering a streamlined experience that respects individual confidentiality.

This user-friendly approach ensures that the testing process is not only easy to navigate but also secures the privacy of all involved, maintaining trust and transparency throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing models and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Cortland, IL emerges as a cost-effective solution. These competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses of all sizes can implement reliable drug testing efforts without incurring prohibitive costs.

The rapid delivery of results further adds value for companies, allowing timely actions and providing reassurance that their drug policy compliance efforts remain uncompromised and economically viable.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Cortland, IL stand out for their unmatched precision and promptness. These tests offer a remarkably high level of accuracy in detecting substance use over an extended period. The ability to quickly identify substance history provides employers with trustworthy data, crucial for making informed decisions.

The reliability of hair testing ensures that employers receive results that genuinely reflect an individual's drug use history. This testing method eliminates uncertainties, offering a fast turnaround and making it a preferred choice for many businesses in Cortland, IL.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Cortland, IL, hair follicle testing offers employers compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to workplace drug-free policies, this testing method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety. Hair tests provide reliable and indisputable results, offering the assurance that policies are upheld effectively.

Implementation of hair testing as part of your organizational policies promotes a safe and healthy work environment, which is integral to maintaining productivity and adherence to legal standards.

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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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