Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grayville, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-spanning record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the new hair strand. Secured near the scalp, hair can extend up to nearly a 3-month observational span for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches from approximately 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the perfect quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a proportional quantity of body hair can be obtained. When discussing head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all alternative types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing for drug test results includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial input of a sample into a lab's system. This phase ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any extra data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance misuse. While Screening is an economically viable method to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Any samples that are initially positive during Screening will require an additional verification.

If a sample is suspected positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the primary sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other processes (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug testing as the most intricate methodology.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug ingestion for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to falsify: It is highly challenging to falsify a hair drug test, hence the results are more precise.
• Delivers historical insight: It provides an outline of drug use over an extended time frame, not merely immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Roughly 5-7 days are required for drugs to be discernable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result discrepancies: Factors like hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can influence the levels of drug byproducts in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Overcomes Urine Testing in Grayville, IL:

• Hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy when compared to urine tests.
• Extended detection periods up to 90 days offer a more comprehensive view of drug use.
• Reliability in results, reducing the chance for false negatives.
• The observed collection process enhances trust in the results' integrity.
  Overall, hair testing provides a more trustworthy and clear-cut assessment than urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

In Grayville, IL, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. Employers benefit from this broader view as they gain comprehensive insights into an applicant or employee's substance history. This long-term view supports more informed hiring and retention decisions, while mitigating risks linked with undetected substance use sight.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Grayville, IL, promotes hair follicle tests as a tamper-resistant method that significantly lowers the likelihood of sample adulteration. This testing approach ensures reliable and unquestionable outcomes, thanks to the collection process's meticulous observation, effectively thwarting tampering attempts. Employers gain trustful results, knowing the integrity of samples remains intact throughout the testing analysis.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is paramount with our widespread testing centers, including local locations in Grayville, IL. Nationwide accessibility ensures quick, hassle-free access to drug testing services, accommodating the needs of both individuals and companies. Whether nearby or in another city, testing is seamless—eliminating barriers and delays while promoting streamlined service.

• Local Accessibility: Immediate access to services within the community.

Simple, Confidential Process

Grayville, IL offers a straightforward and confidential testing process, addressing privacy concerns and simplifying usage. Initiating tests is easy, involving simple steps for ordering, taking, and receiving results. Privacy is paramount, ensuring sensitive data is handled securely. This seamless approach allows individuals and employers to approach testing without unease over information exposure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Grayville, IL, economic pricing and swift processing define our drug testing services. Competitive pricing structures paired with rapid turnaround times enhance value for companies of any size. This means less waiting and more prompt decision-making. Most importantly, businesses benefit from fiscal mindfulness without compromising quality and reliability in testing outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Grayville, IL provides fast, accurate, and reliable hair follicle drug testing results. This method is highly precise in detecting substance use, ensuring employers get dependable results quickly. Hair follicle testing is not only rapid but boasts a level of accuracy that surpasses traditional testing methods, making it a trusted choice for various organizations.
Accuracy Assurance: Ensuring results are true and reflective of actual substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and peace of mind come with hair follicle testing in Grayville, IL. Employers can confidently adhere to workplace drug-free policies, knowing this testing method lowers legal risks and boosts workplace safety. With substantial detection periods and tamper-resistant collection, businesses achieve compliance while ensuring a secure and efficient work environment.
Employer Benefits: Reduced liability and safer working conditions through effective policy enforcement.

Drug Testing Near Grayville, IL

Barnhill, IL

Mount Carmel, IL

Maunie, IL

Carmi, IL

Burnt Prairie, IL

Golden Gate, IL

Bone Gap, IL

Bellmont, IL

Keensburg, IL

Albion, IL

Browns, IL

Phillipstown, IL

Crossville, IL

Calvin, 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