Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ina, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. Sampling hair close to the scalp can provide roughly a 3-month detection timeline for alcohol and other substances. The collection process is straightforward, with minimal risk of adulteration, and is easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch segment, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for this purpose. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair; body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory steps necessary for processing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the introductory step where a sample undergoes initial processing within a laboratory’s framework. This step validates that the sample was securely sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry absent from an automated chain of custody system.

Screening initiates a quick review to detect drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective way to eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be verified to be legally viable. Samples yielding a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated based on CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to tamper with: It is difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insights: It presents a pattern of drug use over a length of time, rather than just a snapshot of recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the levels of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug testing methods in Ina, IL, hair follicle tests offer numerous benefits over traditional urine tests. These include greater detection accuracy and reliability. Hair samples provide a longer window of detection and are less prone to tampering or false results than urine samples, making them a superior choice for employers seeking comprehensive screening.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Ina, IL, shines with its extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This longevity allows employers a thorough insight into an applicant or employee's potential substance use, offering a complete overview of their drug history. Such extended detection facilitates informed decision-making for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Ina, IL’s hair follicle drug tests are a robust solution to reducing sample tampering risks. The likelihood of adulterating a hair sample is significantly lower than other methods, offering unmatched reliability. This test's integrity assures accurate detection of drug use, empowering employers with trustworthy results to enforce zero-tolerance policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our extensive network of testing locations, including those in Ina, IL, accessing drug testing services is convenient and straightforward. Our nationwide presence guarantees that testing is swift and hassle-free, ensuring clients can fulfill their testing requirements without unnecessary delays or complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for conducting hair follicle tests in Ina, IL, is designed to be simple and confidential. Clients can easily order, take the test, and obtain results in a manner that respects their privacy and ease of use. This streamlined approach addresses any concerns regarding the confidentiality and simplicity of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing combined with swift turnaround times characterize our hair follicle drug testing services in Ina, IL. These features ensure that companies of all sizes receive excellent value while minimizing wait times for results. Our competitive pricing structure underscores our commitment to providing quality services at a reasonable cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ina, IL, hair follicle drug tests provide unparalleled speed and accuracy in detecting substance use. The precision of these tests ensures reliable results that employers can trust, offering peace of mind regarding employee health and safety. Hair testing stands out by significantly reducing false negatives, thus ensuring correct assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Ina, IL, hair follicle drug testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, significantly reducing legal risks while enhancing safety. This reliable testing method aligns with company standards and legal requirements, offering peace of mind through its consistent and enforceable results.

Drug Testing Near Ina, IL

Mahomet, IL

Seymour, IL

Thomasboro, IL

Tolono, IL

Lake of the Woods, IL

Philo, IL

Bondville, IL

Savoy, IL

Urbana, IL

West City, IL

Champaign, 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