Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hopkins Park, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and other substances through the retention of biomarkers in the strands of the hair. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeline of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the hair specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not present, a similar quantity of body hair can be sourced. When speaking of head hair, we mean only the hair from the scalp. Body hair covers all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addressing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening presents an economical means to exclude drug usage for most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If the Screening stage finds a sample presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging technique to execute.

The confirmation of any positive screen outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating a presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 certification standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a more limited detection timespan.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Displays historical usage data: It can illustrate a trend of drug consumption over time, not solely recent intake.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect very recent intake: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in the hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing procedures.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth disparities can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the actual test analyzes the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing the benefits of hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Hopkins Park, IL, the former stands out for its superior detection capabilities. Hair testing offers greater accuracy and reliability, capturing a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance usage over time, unlike urine tests which only reveal short-term use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Hopkins Park, IL provides an extended detection window that surpasses most testing methods. By tracing drug use up to 90 days, hair tests offer employers a more thorough insight into an employee's potential substance habits, enabling informed decision-making with comprehensive data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Hopkins Park, IL, the hair follicle test is renowned for its tamper-resistant methodology. This mode of testing significantly lowers the risk of sample adulteration, leaving little room for manipulation. As a result, employers and authorities can depend on the integrity and accuracy of the results obtained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The presence of convenient testing centers nationwide, including those in Hopkins Park, IL, ensures ease of access to testing services. Clients benefit from quick and hassle-free services, with the support of our widespread network that simplifies the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hopkins Park, IL, hair follicle testing is characterized by its simple and confidential process. Clients can easily order, complete, and receive test results, with privacy being a top priority. The smooth, transparent procedure ensures concerns are addressed with ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Hopkins Park, IL offers affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times, delivering exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. Clients appreciate our commitment to competitive pricing without compromising on quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hopkins Park, IL, the precision and speed of hair follicle testing set it apart as a method of choice. These tests provide quick and accurate results, becoming a preferred tool for reliable detection of drug use. In comparison to traditional methods, the efficacy and quick turnaround of hair testing methods prove invaluable in maintaining workplace integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Hopkins Park, IL provides employers with compliance and peace of mind. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, companies reduce legal risks, ensuring safety and reliability within their teams, thus fostering a secure and efficient 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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