Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Divernon, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a strong method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect, challenging to alter, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. Regarding head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair comprises 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 sample's initial integration into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid test for signs of drug use. Though it's a budget-friendly way to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

For samples with presumptive positives in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of conducting hair drug screenings.

Confirmation of a positive screening result occurs using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Shows past usage: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent ingestion: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Factors including hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Divernon, IL Hair testing surpasses traditional urine analysis with unparalleled detection accuracy.

• Longer detection periods
• Greater reliability

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Divernon, IL With detection spanning up to 90 days, hair testing provides a broader perspective on drug use.

• Captures long-term patterns
• More consistent than short-period tests

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Divernon, IL Hair follicle tests minimize the risks associated with sample tampering, offering robust security.

• Reduces sample manipulation
• Ensures trustworthy findings

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Divernon, IL Our numerous testing sites guarantee accessible, hassle-free services nationwide.

• Ease of scheduling and access
• Localized testing assistance

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Divernon, IL The hair follicle test process is streamlined for privacy and simplicity.

• Easy ordering and testing steps
• Confidentiality is key

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Divernon, IL Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times offer excellent value.

• Cost-effective solutions for all business sizes
• Rapid results delivery

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Divernon, IL Hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and speed. Offering high accuracy in detecting substances, it ensures reliable results.

• Delivered swiftly
• Exceptional detail in substance usage analysis

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Divernon, IL Utilizing hair follicle tests reflects adherence to drug-free workplace regulations.

• Mitigates legal challenges
• Enhances safety protocols

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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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