Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ellisville, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are recognized as a potent method for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand’s fibers as it grows. When samples are taken from near the scalp, they can reveal alcohol and drug presence up to around a three-month window. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analytical screening and verification. For EtG extensions and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair relates to all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning encompasses the initial step of entering a sample into the lab system, ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any residual data input absent from an electronic chain of custody method.

Screening involves an initial quick assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result must be verified to be court-admissible. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening demand a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a tentative positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted at considerably lower concentrations than with alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methodologies to conduct.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that temporarily test positive undergo washing before confirmation, as needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process falls under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can indicate drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that have a briefer detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring the results are more reliable.
• Chronological data provision: It offers an overview of drug use trends over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual growth patterns can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug testing in Ellisville, IL, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests in effectiveness. With a longer detection window of up to 90 days, hair testing offers a more comprehensive insight into substance use history compared to the shorter periods detected by urine tests.

The reliability and accuracy of hair tests make them a superior choice, offering nearly foolproof results that employers and professionals rely on.

Extended Detection Window

In Ellisville, IL, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant benefit. Hair testing can track drug use over a period of up to 90 days, allowing for a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history.

This prolonged observation period grants employers a deeper evaluation capability, ensuring informed decision-making regarding potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle drug test in Ellisville, IL is a robust method designed to significantly reduce the risk of tampering and adulteration. By utilizing hair samples, this testing approach ensures greater reliability and provides unquestionable results, resisting common methods of subversion.

Its tamper-resistant nature adds an additional layer of security for those seeking trustworthy outcomes in substance testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Ellisville, IL, the convenience of using Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network is unmatched. With testing centers nationwide, accessing our services is quick and simple, ensuring hassle-free testing procedures.

Our local facilities guarantee that drug testing requirements are met swiftly, allowing individuals and organizations convenient entry to essential services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for drug testing in Ellisville, IL is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test, undergoing the collection, to receiving results, each step respects privacy concerns.

This simple method allows participants to engage with ease and discretion, ensuring a seamless experience while addressing sensitivity...

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Ellisville, IL offers affordable pricing and prompt result delivery. Our competitive pricing structures provide excellent value without compromising quality or reliability.

With fast turnaround times, individuals and businesses enjoy timely insights, contributing to efficient and cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ellisville, IL, hair follicle drug tests provide swift and accurate results. This testing methodology is renowned for its precision, with a high success rate in identifying substance use.

The efficiency of hair testing significantly reduces waiting times for results while maintaining a high level of precision, making it an excellent choice for businesses and individual testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ellisville, IL benefit from the compliance and peace of mind that hair follicle testing provides. This method aligns with maintaining a drug-free workplace, aiding in policy enforcement.

By implementing hair testing, employers can reduce legal exposures, enhance safety, and create a more trustworthy 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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