Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Irving, IL

What it is, How it works

Recognized as an effective option for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing offers insight into long-term drug and alcohol history by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft. A sample taken near the scalp provides up to a 90-day detection period for substances. With a straightforward collection process, it's tough to tamper with and simple to transport.

To conduct a screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil width) near the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimum sample size. For EtG, additional panels above 10, 150mg of hair is advised. Measuring the hair on a jeweler's scale is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary laboratory procedures for producing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is integrated into the laboratory's records. It ensures that the sample remains sealed and is correctly shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. Although a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives in the Screening process require a follow-up confirmation.

Presumptively positive samples in Screening have additional hair extracted from the initial sample for Extraction, where drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to perform.

Confirmation of positive screenings is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive are pre-washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation pursuant to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Tracks patterns: Offers a drug use pattern over a designated period, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Not for recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost consideration: Hair tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," these tests actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug testing methods in Irving, IL, hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection capability and reliability over traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer a longer detection window, picking up on drug use from as far back as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a much shorter range. This extended period provides a more comprehensive picture of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

In Irving, IL, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a game-changer in substance use analysis. Capable of revealing drug use up to 90 days prior, hair tests offer employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's habits. This breadth of coverage is invaluable for making informed employment decisions, ensuring a thorough understanding of an employee's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests conducted in Irving, IL, minimize the risk of sample adulteration, offering a more tamper-resistant solution. This method of testing is virtually foolproof against cheating, providing reliable and unquestionable results. Such integrity in testing ensures complete trust in the outcomes, making it a preferred choice for employers and legal authorities seeking dependable data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Irving, IL, the convenience of our nationwide network of testing centers cannot be overstated. Easily accessible and hassle-free, these locations ensure prompt provision of drug testing services. Whether local or across the nation, having quick access to our centers guarantees that no time is wasted in securing necessary testing, making compliance simpler for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Irving, IL is straightforward and maintains confidentiality at every step. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are designed to be seamless, addressing concerns regarding privacy and user-friendliness. This simplicity ensures that everyone can comfortably navigate their testing needs without undue stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Irving, IL, appealing to businesses of all sizes. Our cost-effective solutions, combined with prompt results, provide excellent value and peace of mind, ensuring organizations can maintain health standards without budgetary strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Irving, IL provide accurate, fast, and reliable results. Their precision in detecting substance use is unmatched, offering a powerful tool for employers and individuals alike. With quick turnaround times, these tests ensure that critical decisions can be made without delay, further underscoring their efficiency and dependability in a testing landscape.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Irving, IL, utilizing hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies, subsequently lowering legal risks and heightening workplace safety. This method aligns with regulatory standards, provides peace of mind, and fosters a secure environment, essential for maintaining operational integrity and employee well-being.

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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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