Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edgewood, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective measure for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the maturing hair. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can reveal an approximate 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily altered, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be taken. When referencing head hair, this implies scalp hair specifically. Body hair denotes other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This process includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody format.

Screening represents an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to negate drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and set for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most intricate methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is carried out by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that present presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can trace drug use up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests which have a briefer detection window.
• Sneak-proof: Manipulating a hair drug analysis is notably challenging, thus ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It presents a timeline of drug use over a span, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Aspects like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why opt for hair testing over traditional urine evals in Edgewood, IL? Hair follicle testing proves superior with its extensive detection range and unbeatable accuracy. Whilst urine tests might cover a shorter timeframe, hair tests can disclose drug use patterns over longer periods, thus offering a more reliable evaluation of substance use history. Employers rejoice over this definitive assurance.

Extended Detection Window

In Edgewood, IL, the extended detection window of hair follicle exams reveals drug use traces for up to 90 days, a period that surpasses any urine test. Employers can receive a comprehensive insight into their applicants' substance use history. This long-lasting visibility aids in fostering a drug-aware workplace environment, contributing towards safer and more informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The strength of hair follicle testing in Edgewood, IL, lies in its tamper-resistant nature. By lowering the chances of sample adulteration significantly, the testing ensures incontestable results. Unlike its urine counterpart, which is susceptible to manipulation, hair testing offers confidence and integrity, clearing doubts surrounding the authenticity of the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Edgewood, IL, our widespread testing centers ensure testing convenience. With numerous locations nationwide, individuals enjoy prompt and hassle-free access to testing facilities. The strategic placement of testing centers across numerous cities affirms our commitment to providing an efficient and accessible drug testing experience, catering to local and national needs seamlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Edgewood, IL, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering a test to gathering samples and receiving results, the entire procedure prioritizes user privacy. Easy-to-follow steps facilitate anxiety-free testing experiences, ensuring that the concerns of privacy and simplicity are addressed and upheld at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Edgewood, IL businesses can take advantage of our affordable pricing structure and rapid turnaround times. By offering competitive rates, we offer unbeatable value that fits companies of all sizes. Coupled with efficient result processing times, our services represent reliability and cost-effectiveness, cementing our place as a leader in drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Edgewood, IL, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. This testing method can swiftly detect the presence of drugs or alcohol with remarkable precision, ensuring both efficacy and reliability in the results. Due to its meticulous analytical process, hair testing stands out in providing high accuracy for substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Edgewood, IL employers find hair follicle testing an essential tool for compliance and peace of mind. Not only does utilizing this testing type meet drug-free policy standards, but it also minimizes legal risks, improving workplace safety. Employing such rigorous testing procedures empowers companies to uphold a drug-free ethos and minimizes potential liabilities.

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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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