Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Depue, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Strands of hair provide an extensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When snipped close to the scalp, hair samples can offer an approximately 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the dimensions of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG supplements and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's recommended to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair alone. All other hair forms (like facial and axillary hair) are categorized under body hair.

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s database. This process includes checking that the sample was secured and delivered correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.

Screening entails an initial basic check for substance abuse. While Screening is an economical method to discount drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that return as presumptively positive during Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is obtained from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methods to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that are preliminarily positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine analyses which offer a shorter detection timeline.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is very challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Tracks past usage: It offers an insight into the pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become noticeable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are ordinarily pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result discrepancies: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the evaluation analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Depue, IL, offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. The superior detection capabilities of hair testing are evident in its accuracy and precision. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide reliable and long-term drug use detection, giving employers and authorities a trustworthy method of analysis.

Extended Detection Window

In Depue, IL, hair follicle testing is a powerful tool for identifying drug use over an extended timeframe, up to 90 days. This comprehensive detection window offers employers an enhanced perspective of an applicant's or employee's substance history, helping them make informed decisions. Hair testing paints a broader picture of substance use than other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests in Depue, IL, offer a remarkable solution to sample tampering challenges. The integrity of samples remains intact, as hair tests are far less prone to adulteration compared to other methods. The tamper-resistant nature of hair testing ensures that results are reliable and unquestionable, maintaining high standards in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers provides unparalleled convenience for hair follicle drug tests in Depue, IL. Whether locally or across the nation, our facilities ensure hassle-free access to testing services, making the process quick and easy for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a straightforward and private process when opting for hair follicle testing in Depue, IL. From ordering to result retrieval, our system ensures simplicity and confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns effectively. The entire process is designed to be stress-free and user-friendly for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Depue, IL, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle drug testing, combined with rapid turnaround times. Our pricing structures are designed to provide excellent value, ensuring peace of mind for companies regardless of size. Benefit from both affordability and prompt results with our services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Depue, IL, is unmatched. Not only do these tests provide fast and precise outcomes, but they also detect substance usage with high accuracy. Their analytical superiority ensures that results are dependable, giving users trust in their efficacy.
Reliability is the cornerstone of the hair testing method, providing results that stand out for their dependability and speed.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Depue, IL, gain significant benefits by utilizing hair follicle testing to enforce drug-free workplace policies. Not only does this method ensure compliance with regulations, but it also mitigates legal risks and promotes enhanced workplace safety. Hair testing provides both assurance and peace of mind to employers.

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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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