Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dalton City, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By locking biomarkers within the strands' fibers, hair showcases an extended timeline of alcohol and drug intake. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month window for detecting both alcohol and drug usage. The process of collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and effortless to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing roughly 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil), and nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is optimal for conducting both screening and confirmation. For EtG testing, extras, and panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is suggested for accurately weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, the same amount from body hair can be substituted. By 'head hair,' we specifically mean to refer to scalp hair. 'Body hair' encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is logged into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed correctly and sent properly, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry that wasn’t handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as an initial rapid evaluation for drug abuse. Although cost-efficient for negating drug usage in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed before being court-acceptable. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate confirmatory testing.

In the presence of a presumptive positive result from Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for the Extraction stage. Here, hair undergoes drug extraction at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging among methodologies to execute.

Confirming any presumptive positive outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing as necessary. The entirety of the process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can perceive drug consumption over a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Resistant to tampering: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: Offers a comprehensive view of drug consumption patterns over a duration, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: It requires approximately 5-7 days before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests are costlier than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantage of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Dalton City, IL, is clear. While urine tests are limited in their detection window, hair tests offer a broader overview, spotting drug use long after it has occurred.
Such accuracy makes hair testing a more reliable option for employers who wish to enforce comprehensive drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

An important feature of hair follicle testing in Dalton City, IL, is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, hair tests can trace drug use up to 90 days back.
This gives employers a more in-depth perspective on an individual's substance history, enabling informed decisions and fostering workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Dalton City, IL, are known for their resistance to tampering. The testing process is stringent, thereby minimizing chances of sample adulteration.
Thus, businesses can rely on the integrity of the results, knowing they are both dependable and definitive for decision-making purposes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our expansive network of testing centers ensures that accessing hair follicle testing services in Dalton City, IL, is convenient and hassle-free.
With local and nationwide facilities, clients can benefit from easy and rapid service delivery, making drug testing more accessible than ever.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Dalton City, IL, is both simple and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns stakeholders might have.
From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring a seamless experience while respecting individuals' privacy needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Dalton City, IL, for our hair follicle testing services.
This not only provides excellent value but also reassures businesses of all sizes that they can count on quick, affordable, and reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Dalton City, IL, hair follicle testing stands out for its swift and dependable outcomes. This testing method is renowned for its precision, as it can accurately detect various substances used over time.
Choosing hair follicle tests ensures that you receive reliable results quickly, which is critical for employers and organizations aiming to maintain a drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Dalton City, IL, benefit greatly from using hair follicle testing to maintain drug-free work environments. This method aligns with workplace policies and helps reduce potential legal risks.
Such compliance not only ensures safety but also provides peace of mind, demonstrating a commitment to employee well-being.

Drug Testing Near Dalton City, IL

Westervelt, IL

Oreana, IL

Findlay, IL

Boody, IL

Sullivan, IL

Moweaqua, IL

Cerro Gordo, IL

Oakley, IL

Decatur, IL

Macon, IL

Lovington, IL

LaPlace, IL

Long Creek, IL

Bethany, IL

Mount Zion, 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