Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Joppa, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy timeline of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use within a detection period of about 90 days. It is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for analysis. For EtG, supplementary tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. It is best to measure the hair on a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be lacking, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. When we specify head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (e.g., facial, underarm).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage of inputting a sample into a lab’s platform. This process ensures that the sample is correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any missing data from an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening acts as an initial, rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug usage for many samples, a positive outcome must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any sample that tests presumptively positive in Screening requires further confirmation.

If a specimen turns presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is used from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirming any positive results from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entirety of the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and is certified to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use spanning 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that offer a briefer detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly tough, thus resulting in more precise findings.
• Offers trend data: It can chart a pattern of drug consumption across a timeframe, rather than just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for recent use detection: Roughly 5-7 days are needed for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Joppa, IL: When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests, the former offers a much higher accuracy and reliability. Hair testing presents a more comprehensive history of substance use, whereas urine tests only provide short-term insights.

Hair tests eliminate many reliability issues traditional urine tests face, making them the preferred choice for those seeking thorough and dependable drug screening, especially for long-term detection.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Joppa, IL: Hair follicle testing stands out for its extended detection period, which can reveal up to 90 days of drug use history. This is particularly beneficial for employers seeking detailed insights into an individual's substance habits.

The extensive window equips decision-makers with a complete picture of drug usage, serving as a valuable tool in maintaining a safe and compliant workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Joppa, IL: One of the key benefits of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering. Unlike other drug tests, altering or adulterating the sample is highly improbable, ensuring that results remain reliable and irrefutable.

This makes hair testing an excellent choice for employers and agencies requiring trustworthy outcomes, reducing the likelihood of false negatives or manipulated results and providing peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Joppa, IL: Our extensive network of testing centers ensures that services are easily accessible, simplifying the process for both local and nationwide clients.

Whether in Joppa or elsewhere, clients find our locations both practical and hassle-free, making drug testing a seamless part of routine operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Joppa, IL: The procedure for hair follicle testing is straightforward and discreet, respecting individual privacy at every stage, from ordering to receiving results.

This ease of use and confidentiality helps alleviate concerns, making drug testing an approachable and non-intrusive experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Joppa, IL: Our competitive pricing structures, paired with prompt turnaround times, deliver excellent value for businesses, accommodating budgets of all sizes.

Clients benefit from cost-effective solutions without sacrificing speed or reliability, gaining both confidence and peace of mind from our efficient services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Joppa, IL: Hair follicle drug tests offer swift and precise outcomes, ensuring that all substance use is detected with superior accuracy. The process is streamlined to prioritize both speed and reliability, allowing individuals and businesses to trust the results they receive.

The high precision of hair tests provides a significant advantage over traditional methods, as every trace of substance use is uncovered efficiently. This rapid detection ensures timely decision-making for employers and other stakeholders.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Joppa, IL: Implementing hair follicle testing helps organizations adhere to drug-free workplace policies, significantly minimizing legal risks and advancing safety standards.

Employers benefit from this method's reliability and accuracy, knowing that they are fulfilling regulatory requirements and supporting a healthier, more secure 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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