Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Elizabeth, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-lasting record of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair may supply up to around a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 strands of hair (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal specimen for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional testing, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair might be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps involved in the laboratory evaluation of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial processing of a specimen into a laboratory system. This encompasses confirming that the specimen was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage in most specimens, a positive result requires validation to be accepted in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.

If a specimen is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair substance screening is among the most challenging procedures to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: It is highly challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a usage pattern over a given timeframe, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for substances to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing approaches.
• Variance in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself assesses the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Elizabeth, IL, demonstrates notable advantages over urine tests. Extended detection periods allow for a more comprehensive analysis of substance use, making it a favored choice for accuracy and reliability compared to traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Elizabeth, IL, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, which spans up to 90 days. This offers a complete perspective on an individual’s substance history, enhancing insight into both applicants and employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Elizabeth, IL, relies on the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing. With secure sample collection, it minimizes the risk of adulteration, providing confidence in the authenticity and reliability of the test results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of our testing locations across Elizabeth, IL, and nationwide. Our comprehensive network ensures easy access to testing services, providing quick and hassle-free testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Elizabeth, IL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease of use, alleviating concerns while guaranteeing discretion and efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Elizabeth, IL, benefits from our competitive pricing and swift turnaround in hair follicle testing. Our focus on affordability combined with quick result delivery provides excellent value and peace of mind for organizations of any scale.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Elizabeth, IL, precision and rapidity define hair follicle drug testing. The method's high accuracy makes it a reliable choice for identifying substance use. Speed and accuracy are intertwined, ensuring swift detection and reporting, keeping you informed and ready to act swiftly when necessary.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing aids Elizabeth, IL employers in compliance and peace of mind. Ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, it reduces legal risks and promotes a safer 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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