Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Gillespie, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair samples can reveal detection of substances for a period reaching up to three months. Additionally, collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides around 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or when testing over 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested for accurate weighing. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. When we say head hair, it strictly means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory procedure consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step in which the sample is processed into the lab’s system. This involves confirming the sample’s seal and safe shipment, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducting any data entry supplementary to the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient manner to exclude drug presence in most cases, any positive result requires confirmation to be permissible in legal settings. Samples testing positive during Screening must undergo further verification.

Should the Screening identify a sample as positive, additional hair is taken from the primary specimen to prepare for Extraction. At this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at a significantly lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is notably complex.

Confirmation follows any initial positive with tests like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples indicated as positive are cleansed before confirmation wherever necessary. Every stage, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and acknowledged through ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug consumption up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection span.
• Complexity in deceit: Tampering with a hair drug test is particularly challenging, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Offers usage history: It shows a timeline of drug consumption over time, not just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Incapacity to detect recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair about 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than other methods.
• Result variability: Results can be influenced by hair color and individual growth rates affecting drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair testing advantages over urine: In East Gillespie, IL, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests, particularly in its detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing ensures a longer detection period, providing a more comprehensive history of drug use than urine tests, which are limited to a shorter timespan. Thus, employers and authorities prefer hair testing for more robust and definitive substance use verification.

Extended Detection Window

Extended detection window: One of the primary benefits of hair follicle testing in East Gillespie, IL is its ability to trace drug use up to 90 days prior. This prolonged detection window grants employers a better understanding of an individual's long-term substance use. Such comprehensive insights aid in making informed decisions regarding employment or participation in programs.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests reduce the risk of sample adulteration in East Gillespie, IL. These tests are inherently tamper-resistant, making them a top choice for ensuring credible results. Unlike some testing methods prone to manipulation, hair tests preserve the integrity of the sample, offering trustworthy outcomes with minimal chances of interference or sample contamination.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

We provide convenient testing centers throughout East Gillespie, IL, backed by a nationwide network ensuring easy access to testing services. With local facilities, our clients experience quick, hassle-free testing processes, making drug screening more accessible. This network enhances convenience and efficiency for employers and individuals needing reliable testing solutions nearby.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and receiving hair follicle test results in East Gillespie, IL, is simple and confidential, easing privacy concerns. The process is straightforward, from scheduling an appointment to obtaining results, ensuring user-friendly experiences. This simplicity, combined with confidentiality, reassures both employers and individuals requiring discrete yet accurate testing outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In East Gillespie, IL, our hair follicle testing services emphasize affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. We offer competitive pricing structures that provide exceptional value for companies, regardless of their size. Swift processing of tests ensures that businesses not only save on costs but also receive timely results, supporting their operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in East Gillespie, IL, offer fast and reliable results, setting a high benchmark for precision in detecting substance use. These tests boast unparalleled accuracy in identifying drug use, ensuring that employers and legal entities receive trustworthy results swiftly. Compared to other testing methods, the meticulous nature of hair analysis provides a deeper and more detailed insight into substance consumption patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in East Gillespie, IL gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, assisting in maintaining compliance with workplace drug policies. This testing method supports a drug-free environment, lowers legal risks, and enhances overall safety. Companies relying on these tests benefit from a reliable solution that upholds professional integrity and workplace standards.

Drug Testing Near East Gillespie, IL

Walshville, IL

Carlinville, IL

Bunker Hill, IL

Staunton, IL

Litchfield, IL

Royal Lakes, IL

Mount Olive, IL

Dorchester, IL

Wilsonville, IL

Lake Ka-Ho, IL

Sawyerville, IL

Benld, IL

Mount Clare, IL

Eagerville, IL

Gillespie, 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