Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Farmersville, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as a potent technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period extending up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equals 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, enhancements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a proportionate quantity of body hair might be gathered. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal stages in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This entails checking that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes an initial rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be permissible in court. Any samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening need follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is preliminarily positive during the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex methodology to perform.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which possess a shorter detection window.
• Challenge to falsify: It is exceptionally hard to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical overview: It can showcase a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair Testing Advantage Over Urine in Farmersville, IL

• Increased detection accuracy through hair testing.
• Enhanced reliability compared to traditional urine assays.
• Hair tests provide a broader window for substance detection.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection in Farmersville, IL

• Hair testing reveals substance use history for up to 90 days.
• Employers gain a detailed insight into substance behaviors.
• Comprehensive view aids in evaluating applicants or current staff.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing in Farmersville, IL

• Hair follicle tests minimize tampering risks significantly.
• Results are reliable and less susceptible to manipulation.
• Essential for maintaining authenticity in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Farmersville, IL

• Nationwide accessible testing centers for convenience.
• Quick, hassle-free process for all your testing needs.
• Local facilities ensure easy accessibility and communication.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Private Testing in Farmersville, IL

• Smooth, confidential ordering and testing process.
• Privacy concerns addressed with discreet handling.
• Efficient procedures for receiving test results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Economic and Fast in Farmersville, IL

• Competitive pricing ensures affordability for all employers.
• Quick result turnaround without sacrificing quality.
• Excellent value for enterprises of diverse sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate Outcomes in Farmersville, IL

• Experience expedited and precise results with hair follicle drug tests.
• Hair testing excels in determining substance use with high accuracy.
• These tests swiftly identify drug presence, supporting informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace for Employers in Farmersville, IL

• Hair testing aligns with drug-free workplace policies.
• Mitigates legal complications and enhances safety.
• Provides reassurance for employers on compliance matters.

Drug Testing Near Farmersville, IL

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Virden, IL

Girard, IL

Waggoner, IL

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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