Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edinburg, IL

What it is, How it works

Analyzing hair has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the structure of the hair strand that is actively growing, hair can document a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can unveil a detection span of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substance use. Collecting hair is straightforward, offers resistance to tampering, and is convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for analysis and verification. For EtG add-ons and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It is best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent portion of body hair may be substituted. Reference to head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is composed of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of preliminarily processing a specimen into the laboratory’s system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial, swift inspection for narcotics. While Screening serves as a cost-effective measure to exclude drug use from most samples, a positive result necessitates further confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening must undergo additional verification.

When a specimen is deemed presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. In this segment, drug residues are withdrawn from hair at much lesser concentrations than those observed in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of executing hair drug screening.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug evaluations can recognize drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which possess a reduced detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: Provides an outline of drug consumption over time, rather than merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent consumption: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual discrepancies in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Edinburg, IL: Hair follicle tests offer a significant advantage over traditional urine tests due to their extended detection window and remarkable accuracy.

• Comprehensive substance history over several months.
• Resistant to evasion techniques.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Edinburg, IL: Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle tests can reveal drug use from as far back as 90 days. This lengthy detection period provides a detailed insight into continuous substance use patterns. Employers can make informed decisions based on reliable data pertaining to an individual's past behavior, offering a broader picture of their drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Edinburg, IL: One of the most compelling aspects of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering or sample adulteration, ensuring the authenticity of the results.
This robust sample integrity offers unequivocal results, giving peace of mind to those who rely on accurate testing methods in maintaining workplace integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Edinburg, IL: Accredited Drug Testing ensures ease of access with numerous testing centers across the nation, including a presence in Edinburg.
Our extensive network provides clients the convenience of quick and efficient testing near their location, simplifying the process of maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Edinburg, IL: The process for obtaining, conducting, and receiving results from a hair follicle drug test is straightforward and confidential.

• Easy ordering.
• Discrete sample collection.
• Confidential results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Edinburg, IL: Our hair follicle testing services boast competitive pricing that caters to businesses of all sizes without compromising on quality.
The quick turnaround time ensures minimal disruption to organizational operations, making our services both economically viable and reliable for employers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Edinburg, IL: Hair follicle testing is renowned for its precision and rapid results. By focusing on an individual's recent and past substance use, this method provides a level of accuracy that ensures dependable results.
Employers can trust these tests to provide clear and concise data, reducing the chances of false positives and ensuring workplace safety.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Edinburg, IL: Hair follicle drug testing not only aids in complying with drug-free workplace policies but also significantly reduces legal liabilities.

• Enhanced safety.
• Comprehensive evidence against drug use.

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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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