Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dorchester, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows, hair offers a prolonged record of substance use. When collected near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use over roughly a three-month period. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and easy to transport.

A specimen of 1.5 inches comprising about 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) situated closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG tests, additional panels, and/or assessments surpassing 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When speaking about head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test result in a laboratory setting include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into the lab’s system. This stage verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be viable in legal contexts. Samples presumed positive during Screening require further confirmation.

For samples presumed positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to perform.

Positive screening results are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Resistance to interference: The difficulty in manipulating a hair drug test enhances the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Historical insight: Hair testing offers a record of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection of recent usage: Drugs become recognizable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Hair color differences and individual hair growth patterns can influence metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the assessment examines the hair itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Dorchester, IL stands out compared to traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are common, they only detect recent drug use. Hair tests, however, provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's history thanks to their extended detection window and resistance to evasion attempts, ensuring more truthful and accurate outcomes.

Extended Detection Window

In Dorchester, IL, hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection window, reaching up to 90 days, making it particularly useful for employers seeking a thorough assessment of an applicant's or employee's drug history. The expanded detection capability provides a more exhaustive review of substance use patterns, thereby supporting sound decision-making processes in recruitment and employment continuity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Dorchester, IL, significantly minimize the chance of sample tampering, leading to unchallengeable and trustworthy results. The collection process is meticulously observed, further diminishing any risk of adulteration, thereby guaranteeing the integrity of the test. This method ensures reliable detection, satisfying rigorous testing standards and providing peace of mind regarding test authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Dorchester, IL, Accessibility is a priority with our extensive network of nationwide testing centers. This facilitates easy, swift, and stress-free access to testing services. This vast reach ensures that individuals and employers can quickly locate nearby facilities, making hair testing a convenient and readily available option for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Dorchester, IL, is straightforward and confidential, easing concerns around privacy and usability. Ordering, undergoing tests, and receiving results is designed to be a hassle-free process, preserving confidentiality at every step to address privacy concerns while ensuring ease and simplicity for users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and prompt result delivery, hair follicle testing in Dorchester, IL provides value and assurance for businesses of all sizes. The quick turnaround time on test results helps organizations manage their staff efficiently, while the cost-effective pricing structures offer economic advantages, ensuring excellent value and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug tests ensures rapid and reliable results in Dorchester, IL. With advanced technology, hair testing can accurately detect a wide array of substances, providing quick and trustworthy results. This efficient testing method aids in maintaining a secure environment with dependable drug use detection, helping employers and individuals make informed and timely decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle tests offers employers in Dorchester, IL compliance with drug-free workplace regulations. By opting for hair testing, companies can effectively reduce legal repercussions linked to substance abuse while enhancing workplace safety. This testing method supports adherence to workplace policies, providing assurance and fostering a secure organizational environment.

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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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