Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dorsey, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can offer a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage for an approximate period of three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising nearly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a larger sample of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug test results involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s records. It entails ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data not provided through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. Though it is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation for court acceptance. All samples that are presumptively positive necessitate additional confirmation.

For a presumptively positive sample during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial collection and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is exceptionally challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as needed. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that feature a shorter period.
• Difficult to manipulate: Hair drug tests are very hard to manipulate, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Records historical use: They can depict a pattern of substance use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in Dorsey, IL, due to its superior detection accuracy and prolonged detection window. Unlike urine tests, which are more susceptible to manipulation, hair testing provides a far more reliable measure of substance use over time. This makes it a preferred option for employers and organizations seeking robust and trustworthy drug testing solutions.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing, covering up to 90 days, offers employers in Dorsey, IL valuable insights into an individual’s substance use history. This extended period allows for a comprehensive assessment, aiding in making informed hiring and policy compliance decisions. This extensive detection capability makes hair tests an essential tool in monitoring and maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing presents a tamper-resistant option for drug testing in Dorsey, IL. With its reduced risk of sample adulteration, this method ensures that results are both reliable and indisputable. By minimizing opportunities for deceit, hair testing provides a more trustworthy assessment of drug use, reinforcing confidence in the testing process and outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Dorsey, IL, as well as nationwide, our convenient testing locations provide easy access to hair follicle testing services. With a network of facilities across cities, we ensure quick and hassle-free access to testing, minimizing downtimes and offering convenience for businesses and individuals alike. This extensive network supports efficient and timely drug testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Dorsey, IL, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. This straightforward process addresses concerns about confidentiality while providing quick access to crucial drug testing information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Dorsey, IL. This affordability, paired with fast results delivery, provides exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. Our cost-effective solutions ensure that companies can maintain drug-free workplaces without straining their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Dorsey, IL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and accuracy. These tests are precise in detecting various substances, making them a reliable choice for drug screening. The swift results offered by hair testing ensure timely and informed decision-making for employers and other stakeholders. This is particularly crucial in maintaining workplace safety and compliance with organizational standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Dorsey, IL, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. It provides peace of mind through its reliable results, supporting companies in enforcing their drug use policies efficiently. This compliance is crucial for maintaining a safe and productive work 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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