Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fandon, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluations are recognized as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline for alcohol and drug detection by embedding biomarkers within the strands’ structure. When collected proximate to the scalp, hair can yield a detection span of up to 3 months for various substances. The collection is straightforward, fairly tamper-resistant, and easily transportable.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the circumference of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides approximately 100mg, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For tests like EtG, add-ons, and those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen weight. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. Head hair denotes only scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core phases in processing a lab drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory system. It involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening represents an initial drug misuse evaluation. Although Screening economically eliminates drug usage in most cases, a positive screen demands confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

For presumptive positives from Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting hair drug screening as the most complex methodology.

Confirmation for positive screening results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing pre-confirmation if required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can identify drug intake for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a limited detection span.
• Challenge to falsify: Falsifying a hair drug test is highly difficult, ensuring result precision.
• Offers historical insights: It shows patterns of drug consumption over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent intake: Drugs typically become traceable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth might impact drug metabolite concentrations.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fandon, IL

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing delivers enhanced accuracy. The detection period extends up to 90 days, which far exceeds the timeframe of urine tests.

• Superior detection accuracy and reliability
• Extended detection window provides a comprehensive overview

Employers and professionals find hair testing to be a more thorough option for identifying substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Fandon, IL

Hair follicle tests capture drug use data over an extensive period, offering an insightful look back up to 90 days. This gives employers a more thorough understanding of an applicant's substance history and potential risk factors.

• Extensive 90-day detection period
• Comprehensive analysis of long-term drug use

By utilizing this method, employers can ensure a healthy and safe workspace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fandon, IL

Hair follicle testing is celebrated for its resistance to falsification, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures that results are reliable and incontrovertible.

• Provides reliable and accurate data
• Minimizes possibilities of tampering

The controlled testing environment guarantees results that employers can rely on with confidence.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fandon, IL

Our extensive network of testing centers spans the nation, as well as local facilities in Fandon, IL, offering smooth access to testing services without hassle.

• Wide network of accessible locations
• Efficient and convenient testing experiences

This infrastructure supports efficient processing, ensuring clients experience minimal delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Fandon, IL

We prioritize confidentiality and ease of use, offering a streamlined process for ordering, conducting, and receiving test results. Privacy concerns are addressed head-on, ensuring a stress-free experience.

• Easy and secure ordering process
• Confidentiality maintained at all stages

Clients can be assured of a smooth, discreet, and efficient experience throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fandon, IL

Our competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times allow businesses to receive excellent value without compromising speed or accuracy.

• Competitive rates
• Quick results turnaround

Customers in Fandon, IL can experience our cost-effective solutions and rapid response times tailored to their needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fandon, IL

Hair follicle testing offers unparalleled speed and accuracy, marking a reliable choice for detecting substance use. Our Fandon, IL facilities ensure quick and efficient processing, maintaining high accuracy in identifying drug use history.

• Rapid processing ensures timely results
• High accuracy in substance detection

This method streamlines the testing process, offering results that uphold reliability and precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fandon, IL

Hair follicle testing helps businesses maintain adherence to workplace drug-free policies, thereby safeguarding against legal issues and fostering a secure working setting.

• Ensures compliance with workplace policies
• Reduces potential legal risks

Employers benefit from greater security and assurance in their hiring processes.

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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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