Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gibson, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a robust instrument for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair offers an extended record of substance use by incorporating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. By collecting hair near the scalp, it is possible to get a detection period extending up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (akin to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is ideal. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a specimen into the laboratory's system. This entails checking that the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any leftover data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes an initial swift analysis for drug abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug consumption in most specimens, a positive screening result requires confirmation to stand in a court of law. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening need secondary verification.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory progression, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can signal drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which offer a briefer detection timeline.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to dupe a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals historical usage: It can outline drug use patterns over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Gibson, IL, choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests brings distinct advantages.
Hair tests elevate detection precision and reliability.

Unlike urine samples, hair follicle tests uncover drug use over an extended timeframe, providing a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's history.
This makes it a superior choice for a thorough examination.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Gibson, IL, offers an extended detection window, crucial for insightful drug history.
This process reveals drug use over up to 90 days.

The lengthy detection period helps employers gain detailed insights into an applicant or employee's substance history,
facilitating more informed hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Gibson, IL, offer a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly reducing sample adulteration risks.
This ensures results are both reliable and unquestionable.

The method's inherent nature makes deceit virtually impossible, giving assurance to all stakeholders about the integrity of the test.
This reliability is paramount for trustworthy screenings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Testing convenience in Gibson, IL, is ensured through our widespread national testing centers.
Quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing services is a priority.

Local facilities guarantee that individuals can seamlessly find the nearest location, ensuring streamlined testing procedures and prompt services.
This convenience is a core offering of our nationwide presence.

Simple, Confidential Process

Gibson, IL, offers a simple and confidential process for drug testing.
From ordering to receiving results, the process addresses privacy concerns.

Understanding the need for ease of use, the testing process is designed to be straightforward and discreet,
ensuring user confidence in maintaining personal privacy and ease of handling.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast response in Gibson, IL, ensures excellent value for all-sized companies.
Competitive pricing structures make these services accessible and economical.

The rapid turnaround times alleviate stress, granting companies peace of mind with their testing needs.
This combination of cost and speed sets our services apart in the industry.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Gibson, IL, provide fast, accurate, and reliable results.
These tests surpass many alternatives due to their unique ability to present precise results quickly.

Utilizing advanced technology, they guarantee high accuracy in substance detection.
The ability to pinpoint drug use with precision offers peace of mind for those requiring dependable analysis.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Gibson, IL, find peace of mind and compliance through hair follicle testing.
This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities.

Such testing enhances safety and compliance standards across the company, offering reassurance and security for employers committed to maintaining a drug-free environment.
This compliance is crucial in today's regulatory landscape.

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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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