Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Hazel Crest, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting misuse of drugs and alcohol. Hair archives a prolonged history of alcohol and narcotics by embedding biomarkers within the fiber of the maturing hair strand. When procured near the scalp, hair provides a prospective detection timespan of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, minimally tamperable, and easy to dispatch.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panel examinations over 10, a total of 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is advised for weighing the sample. If head hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be collected. When addressing head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes any other hair type (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processes a drug test result through Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of introducing a sample into the lab’s system. This includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing other data entries not covered by an electronic custody chain.

Screening executes a quick initial analysis for drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive result must be corroborated to be court-admissible. Samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

When a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepped for Extraction. This is where drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are subject to a wash before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is supervised under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug analyses can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a constricted detection time frame.
• Challenge to deceive: It is exceedingly difficult to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Historical usage portrayal: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, offering more than just recent use data.

Limitations:

• No immediate use detection: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug test methodologies.
• Result discrepancies: Variables such as hair pigment and individual hair growth rates can affect the measurement of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in East Hazel Crest, IL
Hair follicle testing offers unparalleled detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. This method captures a broader history of substance use, providing a more reliable assessment. In East Hazel Crest, IL, the hair test demonstrates superior capabilities in identifying long-term drug use, making it a preferred choice for many employers and professionals.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in East Hazel Crest, IL
Hair follicle testing allows for the detection of drugs over a significantly extended period—up to 90 days. This gives employers in East Hazel Crest, IL, a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee’s drug history. This longer window ensures a thorough assessment of substance use, contributing to informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in East Hazel Crest, IL
Hair follicle tests are intrinsically resistant to tampering, providing accurate and trustworthy results. The methodology reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring that results are dependable. In East Hazel Crest, IL, the integrity of drug testing processes is maintained, offering peace of mind to employers.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in East Hazel Crest, IL
Our network of testing centers spans Nationwide, including East Hazel Crest, IL, offering easy and hassle-free access to drug testing services. The widespread locations ensure convenience, allowing individuals to swiftly engage with testing procedures without delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in East Hazel Crest, IL
The process of ordering and undergoing a hair follicle drug test in East Hazel Crest, IL, is straightforward and confidential. Privacy concerns are addressed, ensuring that individuals feel secure and comfortable throughout the testing experience. The simplicity of the procedure enhances the user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in East Hazel Crest, IL
Our competitive pricing and quick result turnaround provide excellent value for companies of all sizes in East Hazel Crest, IL. The affordability of the testing ensures that businesses can access reliable results without financial strain, while the timely delivery of outcomes supports efficient operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in East Hazel Crest, IL
The precision of hair follicle drug tests ensures confidence in detecting substance use. Hair testing provides high accuracy, reducing the likelihood of erroneous results. In East Hazel Crest, IL, individuals can rely on the rapid delivery of results, aiding in swift decision-making processes and maintaining workplace standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in East Hazel Crest, IL
Implementing hair follicle testing in East Hazel Crest, IL, ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This method mitigates legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety. Employers can achieve peace of mind knowing that hair testing aligns with compliance requirements and promotes a secure 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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