Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Justice, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a viable method for discerning drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a lasting record of alcohol and drug exposure by entrapping markers within the strands. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers nearly a three-month window for detecting drug and alcohol use. This method is straightforward to collect, less prone to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (equating to a #2 pencil in size) nearest the scalp, yields 100mg, which is optimal for initial and confirmatory tests. For EtG tests, additional screenings, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp strands, while "body hair" encompasses all other types, like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four fundamental stages in the lab process for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This process involves confirming sample seal integrity, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary information that isn't included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is economical for eliminating drug use in most cases, a positive screen needs subsequent verification to be valid legally. Any sample that shows a positive indication in Screening demands further confirmation.

When a sample tests positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the main sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves pulling out drugs from hair at much lower levels compared to other testing forms (such as urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of any positive screens is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples testing positive on preliminary screens are thoroughly cleansed before confirmation if required. The full laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation complies with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests monitor drug use for a period of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests feature a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify results: It is significantly challenging to evade a hair drug test, enhancing result reliability.
• Chronicles past use: This test can provide a record of drug usage over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Can't pinpoint recent consumption: It requires 5-7 days for drugs to be evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual variations in growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair samples.

Note: Commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strands and not the follicle residing beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Against Urine Testing in Justice, IL
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicles offer notable advantages, such as extended detection accuracies and consistent reliability. Hair testing far surpasses urine methods due to its robust detection accuracy, offering more reliable results every time.

Employers requiring dependable drug testing solutions can benefit greatly from the significant advantages offered by hair follicle methods over standard urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Longer Detection Window in Justice, IL
Hair follicle testing's extended detection capability extends up to 90 days, offering employers an extensive overview of an applicant or employee's substance use history.

This comprehensive detection window provides a valuable tool for employers aiming to assess long-term substance use patterns, ensuring informed decision-making in the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure, Tamper-Resistant Testing in Justice, IL
Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering, ensuring results that are both reliable and unquestionable.

By employing this secure testing method, organizations can trust in the authenticity and credibility of their substance testing results, bolstering policy compliance and reliability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Location Access Across Justice, IL and Beyond
Our nationwide network of testing centers offers seamless access to testing services, ensuring quick, easy, and stress-free solutions.

With both local and far-reaching facilities, Accredited Drug Testing bridges convenience and reliability, offering hassle-free drug testing options for all needs in Justice, IL.

Simple, Confidential Process

Clearcut, Private Processes in Justice, IL
Our straightforward and private method for ordering, undertaking, and receiving results emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality.

We address privacy concerns while ensuring user-friendliness for all clients, providing a stress-free experience from start to finish whenever testing services are needed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Prices and Quick Results in Justice, IL
Our cost-effective pricing models and rapid turnaround times ensure excellent value and peace of mind for enterprises of all scales.

Accredited Drug Testing satisfies budget-conscious clients without sacrificing quality, ensuring expert and swift service in substance detection and testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Swift, Precise, Dependable Results in Justice, IL
Hair follicle drug tests are second to none in terms of speed and precision when detecting substance use. Their unrivaled accuracy sets them apart as a premier choice for reliable substance detection.

The capacity of hair tests to provide fast and accurate results ensures a high level of trust and dependability for those requiring substance detection services in Justice, IL.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Justice, IL
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps maintain adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal liabilities and boosting workplace safety.

By implementing robust and reliable testing methods, employers can minimize risks and promote a safe and secure working environment for all members of their teams.

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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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