Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hickory Hills, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for revealing drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. If cut near the scalp, hair can suggest a detection window for drugs and alcohol of up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to send.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, added evaluations, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the hair is advised. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. By head hair, we specifically reference scalp hair whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, armpit, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure in the lab for processing a drug test comprised of four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the primary handling of a sample within a lab's workflow. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and delivered, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary quick test for drugs. Although Screening offers a low-cost means to discount drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court validity. Samples that test positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drug substances are isolated from hair at much lesser concentrations than with other methods (like urine or saliva), which accounts for hair drug screening being one of the most challenging testing methods.

Positive screening confirmations are carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Falsifying a hair drug test poses significant challenges, ensuring greater accuracy in results.
• Historical insight: It showcases usage patterns across time rather than just current habits.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs require roughly 5-7 days to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth can influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests in Hickory Hills, IL, excel over traditional urine tests due to their superior detection capabilities. While urine tests can detect recent drug use, hair testing provides a more comprehensive historical view of substance use, covering a detection window of up to 90 days. This extended period makes hair testing a more reliable choice for employers and professionals.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Hickory Hills, IL, is its extended detection window. Unlike urine tests, which are limited in duration, hair analysis can identify substance use over a 90-day period. This long detection time offers a full picture of an individual's substance habits, aiding employers in making better-informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Hickory Hills, IL, significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring more reliable results. The observed sample collection process and the nature of hair testing make it very difficult to tamper with results, providing confidence in the authenticity and accuracy of tests conducted.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing centers, including those in Hickory Hills, IL, our hair testing services offer unmatched convenience. Easily accessible testing facilities provide quick and hassle-free processes for individuals and employers, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Hickory Hills, IL, is both simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease from the ordering stage to receiving results. Clients can trust that their information is protected and the process is efficient, making it a preferred choice for both personal and professional needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hickory Hills, IL, offers hair follicle testing that boasts affordable pricing and fast turnaround. These strengths ensure that businesses of any size can access top-tier testing without straining resources, offering substantial value along with quick and reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test stands out in Hickory Hills, IL, for its precision and speed. This testing method provides fast results, allowing employers and individuals to make informed decisions quickly. The accuracy of hair analysis in detecting substances surpasses many traditional methods, ensuring reliable outcomes that you can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hickory Hills, IL, can achieve compliance with drug-free policies using hair follicle tests. These tests offer peace of mind by considerably reducing legal risks associated with drug use in the workplace. Additionally, they enhance safety by maintaining a drug-free environment for employees and clients alike.

Drug Testing Near Hickory Hills, IL

Countryside, IL

Summit, IL

Palos Heights, IL

Palos Park, IL

Oak Lawn, IL

Hodgkins, IL

Worth, IL

Burbank, IL

Bedford Park, IL

Stickney, IL

Willow Springs, IL

Bridgeview, IL

Palos Hills, IL

Justice, 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