Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Crystal Lawns, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluations have increasingly become a significant method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a timeline capturing alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair. When extracted close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection span of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Collection of hair is straightforward, fairly challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A hair segment of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal volume for testing and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair is permissible. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the laboratory handling of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary integration of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This phase includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid analysis for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in the majority of cases, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal validation. Samples that indicate a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a further confirmation.

When a sample demonstrates a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternatives (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most intricate approach.

Verification of any positive screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before verification as needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Verification is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can detect substance use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring higher accuracy in the results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of substance use across a period, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs take around 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth might alter the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite being termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis examines the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded hair follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Crystal Lawns, IL

In Crystal Lawns, IL, hair follicle testing stands superior to traditional urine tests. With a longer detection window, these tests accurately reveal substance use history beyond the capabilities of urine samples. Hair tests’ resistance to tampering and observed sample collection ensures results' reliability, giving them an edge in terms of detection accuracy and reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Crystal Lawns, IL

Hair follicle testing in Crystal Lawns, IL, offers a substantial detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeline provides employers with a detailed insight into applicants’ or employees’ substance habits. By extending beyond the typical drug test duration, employers can better assess long-term trends in usage, aiding in more informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Crystal Lawns, IL

The integrity of hair follicle testing in Crystal Lawns, IL, significantly mitigates the risk of adulteration. With minimal opportunities for altering samples, the results are deemed reliable and conclusive. This tamper-resistant approach ensures that all parties receive trustworthy and unquestionable outcomes, bolstering the credibility of the testing procedure.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Crystal Lawns, IL

Accessing hair follicle testing in Crystal Lawns, IL, is straightforward with numerous nationwide and local centers. This ubiquitous availability ensures that testing is both quick and hassle-free. The ease of nearby locations allows individuals and companies to partake in streamlined testing services without experiencing significant inconvenience or delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Crystal Lawns, IL

The process for hair follicle testing in Crystal Lawns, IL, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Ordering, undertaking, and receiving results are conducted with the utmost privacy. This simplicity ensures a smooth experience while addressing participants’ privacy concerns, making the testing accessible and user-friendly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Crystal Lawns, IL

Hair follicle testing in Crystal Lawns, IL, is characterized by competitive pricing and rapid results. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable rates and the expedition of test processing. This combination provides exceptional value, ensuring that businesses receive timely information without incurring undue costs, supporting operational peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Crystal Lawns, IL

The efficiency and precision of hair follicle drug tests in Crystal Lawns, IL, are unmatched. These tests provide highly accurate results that set them apart from other testing methods. Their swift processing time delivers quick results, making them the preferred choice for many looking to verify substance use. The reliability of the outcomes offers confidence to all stakeholders involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Crystal Lawns, IL

Employers in Crystal Lawns, IL, find assurance through hair follicle testing. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, these tests aid in compliance adherence and minimize potential legal ramifications. Enhanced safety and reduced risks offer peace of mind, cementing a safer work environment where policies are diligently enforced and maintained.

Drug Testing Near Crystal Lawns, IL

Ingalls Park, IL

Preston Heights, IL

Romeoville, IL

Lockport, IL

Joliet, IL

Rockdale, IL

Shorewood, IL

Idylside, IL

Plainfield, IL

Crest Hill, IL

Lily Cache, 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