Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gifford, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair locks biomarkers within its strands, offering an extended history of substance usage. When obtained near the scalp, the detection period for alcohol and drugs can span up to around three months. The collection process is straightforward, it’s somewhat resistant to tampering, and it is convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal size for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. In cases where scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of drug test outcomes involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into the lab’s system. The process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any data entry not addressed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary analysis for drugs of abuse. While being a cost-efficient solution to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is the reason hair drug testing is among the most complex procedures.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed for confirming any positive screening results. Any samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The laboratory workflow from Accessioning through Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Challenges in falsification: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, improving result accuracy.
• Provides historical patterns: It shows patterns of drug use over time, beyond immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Detection in hair takes roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Alterations due to hair color and personal growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Gifford, IL: Hair testing stands out as a more reliable method than urine testing due to its superior detection capabilities. Employers seeking accuracy prefer this method for its comprehensive results.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing identifies a wider range of substance use. Its ability to detect long-term drug use provides a clearer picture of an individual's patterns.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Gifford, IL: Hair follicle screening offers an extended detection window, tracing drug use up to 90 days. This allows employers to assess long-term substance use patterns thoroughly.

Employers benefit from the extended reporting of hair tests, which reveal consistent drug usage rather than just recent episodes, offering enhanced insight into employee behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Gifford, IL: Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to adulteration, ensuring that the results are reliable and unquestionable. This resistance makes them a trustworthy option for critical testing needs.

Unlike other methods, hair tests cannot easily be manipulated, making them the go-to choice for accurate and fair evaluations in settings where integrity matters.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Gifford, IL: Our expansive network of testing centers across the nation, including local sites, provides easy access to reliable hair follicle drug testing services.

With no hassle and minimal wait times, our strategically placed centers ensure quick and accessible testing, making compliance straightforward for employers and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Gifford, IL: Our process for ordering, taking, and receiving results of hair follicle tests is straightforward and respects your privacy every step of the way.

With an emphasis on confidentiality, each step is designed to protect personal information, providing a seamless and secure experience from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gifford, IL: Our competitive rates and quick turnaround times provide unparalleled value, ensuring high-quality results without breaking the bank for businesses of any size.

The affordability of our services makes it accessible for all, providing top-notch testing capabilities without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Gifford, IL: Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and precision in detecting substance use. Their high accuracy ensures confident results, giving peace of mind to employers and individuals.

Hair testing provides fast results, usually within a few days, making it a preferred choice for employers who need quick turnarounds. This speed doesn't compromise accuracy, ensuring dependable outcomes every time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Gifford, IL: Utilizing hair follicle tests ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing that their workplace meets all regulatory standards, reducing legal repercussions and sustaining a culture of accountability.

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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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