Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Godley, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a substantial method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers of alcohol and drugs within their fibers as they grow, offering long-term usage history. When taken near the scalp, hair offers an approximate three-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, making adulteration challenging and shipping convenient.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) cut close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and verification. For testing EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to determine the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair exclusively denote scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

In the lab, four fundamental phases are integral to the processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step wherein a sample is processed into the laboratory’s system. This includes confirming the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial, rapid check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug presence in most samples, a positive result from Screening must be verified to be valid in court. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for preparation in the Extraction stage. During this phase, the concentration at which drugs are extracted from hair is much lower than when employing other methods like urine or oral fluid, rendering hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques.

The Confirmation phase for any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples displaying presumptive positive results undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage for a period extending up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which encompass a shorter detection window.
• Cheating is challenging: The difficulty in tampering with a hair drug test contributes to more precise results.
• Chronological data provision: These tests can outline drug usage over a duration, rather than only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent usage undetectable: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally incur higher costs than alternate drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth may impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand instead of the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Godley, IL, hair follicle testing is proving superior to urine tests, primarily because of its enhanced detection accuracy. While urine tests are commonplace, hair analysis covers substance use over a longer timeline, providing more detailed insights. This makes hair testing an excellent choice for employers striving for stringent workplace policies.
Advantages:

• Higher accuracy rates
• Long-term substance detection
• Reduced cases of tampering

Employers gain a more reliable strategy for maintaining a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Godley, IL offers a valuable extended detection window that spans up to 90 days, outshining most other tests. This robust time frame grants employers a thorough review of any substance history, vital for informed decision-making.
Advantages:

• Longer detection span
• Full overview of applicants' history

This testing method provides a comprehensive analysis of an individual's past substance use, serving as a powerful tool in pre-employment screenings.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Godley, IL employs hair follicle testing as a top choice due to its tamper-resistant nature. This test effectively minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results are both reliable and unequivocal.
Benefits:

• Reduced sample tampering
• High integrity of test results

Employers can confidently rely on this testing method to maintain the integrity of the results, leading to fair and informed assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide centers, including in Godley, IL, ensures easy access to services. This widespread network allows for quick and hassle-free testing, ensuring no delays in accessing necessary health assessments.

• Vast, accessible network of centers
• Facilitates prompt service delivery

Employees and employers benefit greatly from the ease of reaching a center, streamlining the entire testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Godley, IL, a simple and confidential process governs hair follicle testing. Ordering and receiving results is straightforward, offering users a convenient way to meet their testing needs. Privacy and ease of use are key components of this service.

• Simplified testing steps
• Confidential handling

Clients can rest assured knowing their privacy is respected, from the time of testing through to the receipt of results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Godley, IL, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle drug tests, making it an affordable choice for businesses of all sizes. Quick processing times mean faster results, providing excellent value alongside rapid assessments.
Highlights:

• Cost-effective options
• Quick turnaround

Employers can enjoy peace of mind with quality testing that doesn't stretch finances.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing is renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results in Godley, IL. This method stands out due to its high precision in identifying substance use compared to traditional testing methods. Individuals seeking a quick yet comprehensive evaluation will find this option both effective and dependable, assuring employers of its thoroughness.

With its swift processing time, hair follicle testing becomes a top choice for organizations needing conclusive data. There's no compromise on accuracy; this form of testing is methodically designed to detect even trace amounts of substances. Its prompt turnaround and unmatched reliability make it the go-to solution in Godley, Illinois.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By adopting hair follicle testing in Godley, IL, companies ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind and reducing legal liabilities. Upholding such standards bolsters workplace safety, creating a secure environment for all.
Benefits include:

• Legal compliance
• Increased safety and security

Peace of mind comes from knowing that your workplace complies with strict safety standards, using a drug testing method proven to be highly reliable.

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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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