Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hampshire, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now a recognized method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Through trapping biomarkers in the strands as the hair grows, it provides an extensive history of substance use. Hair collected close to the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to around 3 months. Collecting hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample containing about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) taken nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing. For extensive tests like EtG, add-ons, and/or those that exceed 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equal amount of body hair might be used. The term head hair signifies scalp hair only, whereas body hair denotes all other types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug tests encompasses four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of incorporating a sample into the lab’s system. This process confirms that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any necessary additional data entry not provided via the electronic chain of custody.

Screening executes an initial swift evaluation for illicit substances. This method is cost-effective for eliminating drug use possibilities in most samples, yet a positive finding must be confirmed for legal legitimacy. Samples that yield a presumptive positive during Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (*e.g.* urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing considerably challenging to execute.

A positive Screening result undergoes Confirmation by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are adequately cleansed. The whole laboratory operation, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which detect for a shorter period.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are harder to manipulate, thereby yielding more precise results.
• Historic data provided: They offer a depiction of drug use over time, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot discern recent consumption: Drugs may take 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur greater costs comparative to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Influences like hair color and individual growth rates can impact the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests", the actual examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hampshire, IL
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. In Hampshire, IL, individuals and organizations are recognizing these advantages, shifting towards hair tests for their enhanced detection capabilities. With a significant detection window and lowered likelihood of tampering, hair testing provides a more trustworthy approach.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hampshire, IL
Hair follicle testing in Hampshire provides an unparalleled advantage with its extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days back. This expansive timeframe offers employers a thorough insight into the substance use history of candidates or employees, enabling more informed decision-making and reinforcing workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hampshire, IL
The hair follicle testing method is notably tamper-resistant, especially in Hampshire, IL. This approach drastically minimizes the potential for sample adulteration compared to other testing methods, ensuring reliable and unquestionable results that support hiring and retention decisions based on accurate substance use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hampshire, IL
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access with numerous testing centers nationwide, including local options in Hampshire, IL. This widespread availability simplifies the testing process, providing quick and hassle-free testing services to meet the demands of individuals and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hampshire, IL
Our hair follicle drug test process in Hampshire is designed to be straightforward and confidential. The ease of ordering, participating in testing, and receiving results addresses privacy concerns while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and user-friendliness, ensuring participants feel secure throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hampshire, IL
Our hair follicle drug testing in Hampshire offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. This cost-effectiveness paired with swift result delivery provides outstanding value for companies of all sizes, reinforcing trust in the testing process as both efficient and financially reasonable.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hampshire, IL
Hair follicle drug testing in Hampshire, IL stands out for its precision and speed. Known for delivering rapid results, this method boasts high accuracy in detecting various substances, ensuring that the information employers receive is both timely and dependable. The reliability of hair testing helps maintain trust and transparency in substance detection processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hampshire, IL
Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, offering compliance and reducing legal risks for employers in Hampshire, IL. This method not only enhances workplace safety but also provides peace of mind, knowing that the testing procedures are robust and deterrent to drug use.

Drug Testing Near Hampshire, IL

Lily Lake, IL

Union, IL

Virgil, IL

Genoa, IL

Gilberts, IL

Rutland, IL

Huntley, IL

Grafton, IL

Plato Center, IL

Pingree Grove, IL

Burlington, 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.

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