Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Green Oaks, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by securing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, hair offers a detection timeline of up to nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, making it tough to alter and easy for shipment.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation stages. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's best to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inadequate, an identical volume of body hair is acceptable. When we discuss head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This process verifies that the sample remains sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any extra data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not furnish.

Screening is a preliminary scan for prevalent drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical approach for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive outcome must be confirmed to be valid in legal contexts. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

Upon yielding a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is separated from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence the intricacy of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is completed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The whole lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification as well as the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 requirements.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, leading to more precise results.
• Offers historical data: It can illustrate a timeline of drug usage over extended periods, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair around 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can modify the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although usually called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Green Oaks, IL. Hair testing offers superior accuracy in detection compared to traditional urine tests, providing reliable insights into substance use histories.

The extended detection period is a standout benefit. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days back, offering a more comprehensive view.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Green Oaks, IL. Hair follicle tests enable detection of drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This offers employers a detailed look into an individual's substance use habits.

This extended period is invaluable for ongoing substance management in workplaces, ensuring a thorough assessment of an individual's history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Green Oaks, IL. Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable.

The observed sample collection ensures integrity, making it nearly impossible for individuals to tamper with the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Green Oaks, IL. Our widespread network of testing centers provides effortless access to services.

Local testing sites in Green Oaks ensure ease and convenience for residents, enhancing accessibility to essential drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Green Oaks, IL. The straightforward nature of ordering, taking, and receiving test results prioritizes user privacy at every step.

Simplicity and discretion are ensured, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring the process remains hassle-free for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Green Oaks, IL. Competitive pricing structures and swift turnaround times offer excellent value for businesses.

Organizations, large or small, benefit from peace of mind, knowing they receive quality testing services without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Green Oaks, IL. Hair follicle drug testing shines with its unmatched precision. The method detects substance use with exceptional accuracy, ensuring reliable results.

Speed is a critical advantage. Hair follicle testing delivers quick turnarounds, offering insights into substance use promptly for decision-makers to rely upon.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Green Oaks, IL. Utilizing hair follicle testing assists workplaces in adhering to drug-free policies, lowering potential legal risks.

A safer work environment is fostered. By securing thorough and reliable testing methods, employers create a more secure working atmosphere for all.

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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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