Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Detroit, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use by trapping biomarkers within the growing strands. When procured near the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weight accuracy. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. When we mention head hair, we are referencing only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-sensitive approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If screening suggests a positive, more hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirming any positive screening result involves using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation, as required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Resistance to cheating: Hair drug tests are very challenging to cheat, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Records historical data: It reveals drug use patterns over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair within approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While often described as "hair follicle tests", the procedure evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers an edge over traditional urine tests in Detroit, IL. With superior detection accuracy, these tests provide a reliable glimpse into an individual's substance use history, far exceeding the capabilities of urine tests.

Employers benefit from the enhanced detection scope of hair testing, ensuring comprehensive evaluation, while urine tests fall short in tracing long-term drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Unlike conventional testing methods, hair follicle testing in Detroit, IL, offers an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use over a 90-day period. This feature is invaluable for employers assessing an applicant's or employee's past behavior.

The ability to detect drugs over an extended duration allows employers to make informed decisions, ensuring a drug-free workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The integrity of hair follicle testing in Detroit, IL, is unrivaled, reducing the risk of sample tampering. The method is inherently tamper-resistant, providing trustworthy results that meet the highest standards of reliability.

This type of testing is fortified against manipulation, safeguarding the validity of the results, and ensuring peace of mind for all stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our vast network of testing locations, Accredited Drug Testing ensures the convenience of accessing services in Detroit, IL, and nationwide. Our centers are strategically positioned for hassle-free drug testing.

The widespread availability of our facilities guarantees that individuals can access testing services swiftly and without inconvenience, no matter their location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing offers a simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing in Detroit, IL. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure prioritizes privacy and ease of use.

This streamlined process addresses concerns about confidentiality, ensuring that individuals can complete their tests discreetly with full assurance of privacy protection.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Detroit, IL, prides itself on offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle testing. Our services deliver great value, accommodating companies of all sizes.

The efficient processing of results and cost-effective pricing make our tests an attractive option for businesses seeking dependable and affordable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficacy of hair follicle drug tests lies in their capacity to deliver swift and precise results in Detroit, IL. The high accuracy of these tests ensures reliable detection of substance use, providing timely insights critical for decision-making.

When compared with traditional methods, hair follicle tests offer unmatched precision, enabling a comprehensive analysis of an individual's drug use history with rapid turnaround times.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By incorporating hair follicle testing, employers in Detroit, IL, can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal vulnerabilities, fostering a safe and compliant work environment.

The implementation of hair testing enhances safety protocols, establishing trust and demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Drug Testing Near Detroit, IL

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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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