Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hazel Dell, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective approach for identifying substance and alcohol usage. Hair serves as a record of long-term alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal substance and alcohol use over a span of roughly three months. Hair is easy to gather, moderately tamper-resistant, and straightforward to transport.

Gathering a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab's system, which involves ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and transported, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional information not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive Screening outcome must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive result during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. During this, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a very challenging technique.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed prior to Confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory progression from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• High tamper resistance: It's exceedingly hard to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Tracks historical usage: It reveals a profile of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically more costly than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hazel Dell, IL, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests because of its superior detection abilities. While a urine test typically captures recent usage, a hair test offers a broader window, identifying use over a prolonged timeline. Such accuracy and dependability make hair tests the preferred choice for those in need of comprehensive screenings.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Hazel Dell, IL, is unparalleled for its extended detection window, revealing drug use across a 90-day span. This comprehensive approach affords employers an in-depth analysis of an individual's substance history, providing a clearer behavioral picture than shorter-term tests, ensuring more informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing effectively counters tampering risks present in other methods, especially in Hazel Dell, IL. This test's design ensures negligible chances of adulteration, thus safeguarding integrity and reliability of test results. Such secure testing offers peace of mind by delivering authentic outcomes devoid of manipulation worries.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide presence includes conveniently situated centers in Hazel Dell, IL. This widespread availability guarantees that testing services are accessible promptly and effortlessly, ensuring individuals and companies can undergo drug testing without unnecessary travel or delay, maximizing convenience and service efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Hazel Dell, IL is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From the moment an order is placed to receiving the results, privacy is a priority. The ease of use and discretion afforded throughout the process alleviate concerns, offering peace of mind to all parties involved in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in Hazel Dell, IL, offer competitive pricing combined with fast processing times. This blend of affordability and efficiency ensures that companies of any size receive excellent value. The swift turnaround from testing to results further streamlines the process, enhancing client satisfaction and trust.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is known for its precision and swiftness, particularly in Hazel Dell, IL. Employers and individuals alike benefit from the highly accurate results it provides in determining substance use. The method significantly speeds up the detection process while maintaining high standards of accuracy, ensuring that test results are both fast and reliable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hazel Dell, IL, can rest assured with hair follicle testing as it aids in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal threats while enhancing overall workplace safety. By choosing this robust testing solution, companies demonstrate a strong commitment to a safe and healthy work environment.

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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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