Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fox River Grove, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective technique for identifying substance use. Hair captures a lengthy record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can present a detection timeline of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is easy, somewhat hard to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG tests, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be substituted. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair only, while body hair includes all other varieties (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to logging a sample into a lab’s system initially. This process verifies that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening offers an initial rapid inspection for substance use. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to discount drug presence in most specimens, confirming a positive screen is necessary to be court-acceptable. Any specimens with presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

For specimens showing presumptive positive results during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation, if necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug analyses can identify substance use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests where the detection period is shorter.
• Challenging to deceive: Manipulating the results of a hair drug test is very difficult, ensuring higher accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: It takes approximately 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assays are usually more costly than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites found in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these examinations assess the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Fox River Grove, IL, the superiority of hair testing stands out. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy and reliability over prolonged periods, capturing drug use that may not be evident in urine tests. This method benefits employers, legal entities, and rehabilitation professionals alike.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Fox River Grove, IL provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use for up to 90 days. This long-term insight gives employers a comprehensive understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance use history, empowering them with detailed information for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing approach in Fox River Grove, IL significantly reduces the risk of tampering samples. This method assures reliable and unquestionable test outcomes, as hair samples are tougher to adulterate than urine samples, cementing their status as a dependable choice for drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Benefit from the convenience of our nationwide and local testing centers in Fox River Grove, IL. Our extensive network ensures quick, hassle-free testing services, making it easy for individuals and companies to access the testing they need, with minimal disruptions to their schedules.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fox River Grove, IL, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and user ease, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality. Users can trust in a straightforward and discreet experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Enjoy affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times with our hair follicle testing services in Fox River Grove, IL. Our competitive pricing structure and swift processing provide excellent value, ensuring businesses of all sizes receive timely and cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Fox River Grove, IL offer unmatched precision and speed in substance use detection. These tests are highly accurate, ensuring reliable insights into an individual's drug use history. The swift processing of hair samples results in timely results, providing essential information for decision-making in a variety of contexts.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Fox River Grove, IL can rely on hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By minimizing legal risks and creating a safer work environment, this testing method provides peace of mind and supports a culture of safety and responsibility.

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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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