Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dowell, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are now acknowledged as an effective method to track drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can offer a prolonged drug and alcohol history by encapsulating biomarkers in the growing hair's fibers. When taken from near the scalp, it can indicate up to about a 3-month detection period for substances. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of entering a sample into a lab's system. This process checks the sample's seal and shipping validity, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is the first quick evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is economical to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court acceptability. Any samples assumed positive in Screening need further verification.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted for the Extraction phase. Drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair screening is notably challenging.

Any positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positives are washed before confirmation as required. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory workflow is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Tampering with hair drug tests is very difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Chronicles past usage: It reflects a usage pattern over time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Limited to past use: Drugs require 5-7 days to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing typically costs more than other drug tests.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", this test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle itself under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Dowell, IL surpasses traditional urine tests with its superior accuracy and dependability. The longer detection window of up to 90 days offers a more complete view of an individual's drug history.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing is virtually cheat-proof. Its resistance to manipulation ensures employers can trust the data, aligning with zero-tolerance drug policies while decreasing the likelihood of false results.

Extended Detection Window

In Dowell, IL, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window of up to 90 days, which is advantageous for employers desiring a thorough appreciation of an employee's substance past.

This comprehensive view aids employers in assessing the potential risks associated with hiring or retaining employees and enhances the overall safety and productivity within the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Dowell, IL, present a tamper-resistant testing method that minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This robust process is designed to deliver results that are both reliable and unquestionable.

With hair testing, any attempts at altering or compromising results are effectively countered, ensuring full integrity and thus providing employers peace of mind in their drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience in accessing hair follicle drug tests is assured through our nationwide testing centers, including locations in Dowell, IL. Our wide network facilitates testing with minimal hassle and travel.

Your organization or individual needs can be met promptly thanks to our expansive availability, ensuring quick and easy access to necessary testing services everywhere.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting hair follicle testing in Dowell, IL, is straightforward and confidential. The process of ordering, taking the test, and receiving results is handled with utmost respect for privacy.

Our user-friendly method guarantees ease of use and discretion, addressing any concerns regarding the confidentiality of procedures and safeguarding personal data.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Dowell, IL, we offer affordable pricing structures for hair follicle tests, making premium testing services accessible to employers of varying sizes. The swift turnaround time further enhances value.

Our competitive rates and fast results contribute significantly to delivering excellent value, earning the trust and satisfaction of businesses seeking reliable testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests offer rapid and precise results in Dowell, IL. Their accuracy in discovering substance use is unparalleled, empowering employers to make well-informed decisions swiftly.

The efficiency of hair follicle testing lies in the swift turnaround time, enabling prompt access to reliable results. This contributes to maintaining productive and drug-free work environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Dowell, IL, implementing hair follicle testing helps employers comply with drug-free policies, reducing potential legal risks. This ensures a safer workplace atmosphere, aligned with regulatory standards.

The peace of mind that comes from comprehensive substance monitoring supports effective workplace management and underscores an employer's commitment to employee health and safety.

Drug Testing Near Dowell, IL

Zeigler, IL

Christopher, IL

Coello, IL

Hurst, IL

Bush, IL

Sunfield, IL

Pyatts, IL

De Soto, IL

Royalton, IL

Mulkeytown, IL

Saint Johns, IL

St. Johns, IL

Vergennes, IL

Du Quoin, IL

Elkville, IL

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews