Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dixmoor, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and various substances by embedding biomarkers in the strands' fibers as they grow. When taken close to the scalp, hair samples can show drug or alcohol use within a window of up to three months. The collection process is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp offers 100mg, the preferred amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, extra tests, or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg quantity is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If head hair isn’t available, an equivalent mass of body hair can be used. Scalp hair pertains only to head hair, whereas body hair includes all other varieties like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

Four key stages make up the lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's framework. This step confirms the sample's seal and appropriate shipment, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any outstanding data collection absent in an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening encompasses a swift initial review for substance abuse. Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most cases, but any positive outcome requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

In instances where Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in vastly lower concentrations than alternative techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is evaluated under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection: Hair tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection span.
• Challenging to evade: Cheating a hair test is extremely challenging, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Displays usage patterns: It can display a trend of substance use over weeks or months rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs only become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair screening tends to cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in growth can influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the strand, avoiding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dixmoor, IL Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. Hair samples reveal a longer history of substance use, offering a more comprehensive view than urine tests, which are limited in scope. This increased sensitivity makes hair testing a more reliable method for assessing drug use over extended periods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Dixmoor, IL One of the most significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. This expanded detection window provides employers with a more thorough overview of an individual’s substance use history, which standard urine tests cannot achieve.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Dixmoor, IL Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering or adulteration. The inherent resilience of this method ensures that the integrity of the sample remains unchallenged, providing disturbance-free and dependable results that can withstand scrutiny.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Dixmoor, IL With testing centers conveniently located nationwide, including Dixmoor, IL, accessing our drug testing services is quick and hassle-free. Our locations offer unparalleled accessibility, ensuring that testing is straightforward and efficient for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Dixmoor, IL The procedure for ordering and completing a hair follicle test is simple and respects confidentiality. From request to results, the process is designed to be stress-free and private, assuring users that their sensitive information is handled with the utmost discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Dixmoor, IL We offer competitive pricing along with swift turnaround times, providing exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. This combination of affordability and efficiency guarantees that our clients receive both cost-effective solutions and timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Dixmoor, IL Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision, making them an ideal choice for employers requiring quick and exact detection of substance use. With a streamlined process, these tests provide clarity and confidence in results, supporting efficient decision-making without compromising on accuracy or reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Dixmoor, IL Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal exposure and promoting safety. This method ensures compliance while providing employers with peace of mind, knowing they are upholding the highest standards of workplace safety and integrity.

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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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