Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Forest Park, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures markers of alcohol and drugs within the strands as it grows, providing a timeline of use. Gathering hair close to the scalp can reveal substance use for approximately a 3-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering, and is conveniently transportable.

Securing a 1.5-inch section of around 200 hairs (akin to a #2 pencil's circumference) near the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for initial screening and further verification. For EtG assessments, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is ideal. We advise using a jeweler's scale to weigh the hair. Should scalp hair not be available, a similar volume of body hair can suffice. "Head hair" denotes only scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, armpit, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four key stages in the laboratory evaluation of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning incorporates the sample into the laboratory's database. This step confirms proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and records any extra details absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs an initial assessment for drug presence. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use for most samples, further confirmation is necessary for legal acceptance of a positive result. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

For samples presumptively positive during Screening, further hair extraction from the initial collection occurs for the Extraction phase. Here, drug concentration in hair is notably lower than in urine or oral samples, making hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, presumptive positive samples undergo washing if needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire process adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair tests identify drug use covering up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Low potential for deceit: Cheating a hair test is challenging, ensuring result reliability.
• Tracks usage history: Reflects drug consumption patterns over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to track recent use: Drugs appear in hair around 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can alter drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the scalp's follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Forest Park, IL is superior to urine tests by offering better accuracy and reliability.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing can reveal a chronic history of drug and alcohol use, making it a valuable tool for employers.

The comprehensive detection capabilities make hair testing an excellent choice for strict workplace policies and legal requirements.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle analysis in Forest Park, IL excels with its extended detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days.

This method provides transparency on an individual's historical substance use, aiding informed decisions by employers and professionals.

Such an expansive period allows a thorough evaluation of employee or applicant reliability over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Forest Park, IL, the resilience of hair follicle testing against tampering offers a secure testing method.

The collection process is carefully observed, minimizing the risk of sample sabotage or dilution.

Employers and organizations benefit from receiving robust and unalterable test results, promoting confidence in evaluations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing services in Forest Park, IL are incredibly convenient, supported by nationwide and local testing centers.

These facilities offer quick access to reliable testing services, streamlining the process for employees and employers alike.

The broad network ensures that testing is resolve-free, simplifying the drug-testing journey for all parties involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Forest Park, IL, our drug testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality throughout each step.

From test ordering to the reception of results, participant privacy is a priority, ensuring a user-friendly experience.

This commitment to discreetness and straightforward processing supports trust and participant comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing in Forest Park, IL offers individuals and companies affordable hair follicle drug testing options.

Our rapid turnaround times guarantee value, maintaining high standards without incurring additional costs.

Organizations can safeguard their operations efficiently, benefitting from our value-added services without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The unmatched efficiency of hair follicle drug tests stands out in Forest Park, IL, offering precision and quick results that are highly accurate.

Clients benefit from the rapid processing times, ensuring timely access to substantial substance use assessments.

Advanced technology employed in hair testing ensures consistent and accurate detection, setting a standard of reliability in drug testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Forest Park, IL employers gain assurance of compliance with drug-free policies by utilizing hair follicle testing.

This method reduces legal vulnerabilities by ensuring adherence to workplace safety and policy standards.

Confidence in test accuracy and integrity promotes peace of mind and a safer workplace environment.

Drug Testing Near Forest Park, IL

River Grove, IL

Riverside, IL

North Riverside, IL

Elmwood Park, IL

Melrose Park, IL

Broadview, IL

Berwyn, IL

Oak Park, IL

Maywood, IL

River Forest, IL

Park Forest, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews