Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hartland, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair examination is now regarded as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When cut close to the scalp, it can reveal up to an estimated three-month span of alcohol and drug usage. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively immune to tampering, and is efficiently transported.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, approximately 200 strands or similar to the width of a #2 pencil, taken from near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample weight. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. Head hair denotes exclusively scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair kinds (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning comprises the primary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step checks that the sample was sealed and dispatched properly, tags it with a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening includes an initial rapid examination for drug abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most cases, a positive screening demands confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

Following a presumptively positive result in Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample and set for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated at a minutely lower concentration from hair compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. The laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug examinations can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which cover a shorter period.
• High resistance to tampering: It's challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, hence the results are more trustworthy.
• Gives historical usage pattern: Offers an overview of drug intake over time, instead of just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs require roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug exams are typically pricier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Distinctions such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can alter drug metabolite concentration in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Hartland, IL

The rise in hair testing popularity owes to its superior detection capabilities over urine tests. Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window and greater accuracy, ensuring reliable results. Whereas urine tests have limitations in the detection period, hair tests identify drug use with remarkable precision and are favored in Hartland, IL, for their robustness.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hartland, IL

With the ability to detect drug use over a period of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing provides employers in Hartland, IL, a comprehensive insight into an individual's history. This extended detection window helps in understanding patterns of substance use far beyond the capabilities of other testing methods, offering an enhanced view of an applicant or employee's behavior and ensuring informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hartland, IL

Hair follicle testing dramatically reduces the risk of tampering and sample adulteration. This method provides reliable and unquestionable drug testing results due to the complexity in altering the hair sample. In Hartland, IL, this reliability means peace of mind for employers, ensuring that results reflect genuine drug use patterns without the flaws that might affect other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Facilities in Hartland, IL

Our testing centers offer convenience through nationwide presence and local accessibility in Hartland, IL. This ensures quick, straightforward access to drug testing services without the hassle, facilitating an effective testing process for businesses and individuals alike. Our wide network guarantees that high-quality testing is never out of reach.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplified, Confidential Testing Process in Hartland, IL

Hair follicle testing ensures a straightforward and confidential procedure, from ordering to receiving results. This process addresses privacy concerns and guarantees ease of use, ensuring that individuals and employers in Hartland, IL, can rely on a discrete and efficient method of obtaining test outcomes that respect personal and professional privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective Pricing and Swift Results in Hartland, IL

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround times distinguish our hair follicle testing services in Hartland, IL. Our affordable pricing structures offer excellent value for organizations of all sizes, ensuring high-quality testing without straining budgets. Rapid results contribute to peace of mind, allowing businesses to act decisively on drug testing information.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Outcomes in Hartland, IL

Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their accuracy and prompt results. This method delivers reliable insights into recent and past substance use. Unlike traditional testing methods, hair follicle testing in Hartland, IL, ensures precise detection, leaving no room for error. Quick processing guarantees employers the timely information they need. This test provides unmatched precision and speed, a cornerstone of its effectiveness.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Hartland, IL

Emphasizing compliance with drug-free workplace policies, hair follicle testing supports legal adherence and enhances workplace safety in Hartland, IL. By adopting this testing method, employers reduce potential legal risks associated with drug use on the job, fostering a secure and compliant work environment that is beneficial for both employees and businesses.

Drug Testing Near Hartland, IL

Richmond, IL

Capron, IL

Lakewood, IL

McCullom Lake, IL

Ringwood, IL

Ridgefield, IL

Marengo, IL

Union, IL

Hebron, IL

Wonder Lake, IL

Bull Valley, IL

Harvard, IL

Chemung, IL

Greenwood, IL

Woodstock, 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