Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Keensburg, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When hair is cut near the scalp, it can offer a detection timeframe extending up to three months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to alter, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg, the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is recommended. It's suggested to weigh this amount using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into a lab’s system. This includes checking that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) at random, and completing any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substance use. While Screening is a budget-friendly way to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples preliminarily positive during Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

For samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and set for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation for any positive findings from Screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples preliminarily positive are cleansed before confirmation, as required. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection window: Hair drug tests identify substance use up to 90 days prior, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection window.
• Challenging to manipulate: Avoiding detection in a hair drug test is notably difficult, ensuring precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It can chart drug usage patterns over time, not merely recent behaviors.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It generally takes 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis occurs on the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing is Superior
Hair testing offers advantages over traditional urine tests with its ability to accurately detect substances over a substantial timeframe. Its resistance to tampering ensures the integrity of results, offering reliability to all stakeholders involved in the testing process.

For those in Keensburg, IL, hair follicle tests mean a dependable option, distinguishing itself through its precise detection capabilities.

Extended Detection Window

Prolonged Detection with Hair Tests
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Keensburg, IL affords an extensive detection window, spanning as long as 90 days. This lengthier period allows employers to better understand potential substance consumption histories of employees or candidates.

Such comprehensive insights promote informed hiring and management decisions by offering a window into an individual's past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Proof Testing
In Keensburg, IL, hair follicle tests offer a significant reduction in sample tampering likelihood, ensuring results that stakeholders can trust without question. This testing method is highly resistant to adulteration, preserving the authenticity of each sample.

Employers benefit from knowing that the process protects against any attempts to alter results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Locations
Finding a testing location in Keensburg, IL is seamless through our extensive national network. This network supports quick, convenient access to drug testing services, allowing for an efficient and hassle-free testing experience.

Whether local or traveling, individuals are assured access to testing facilities, ensuring timely fulfillment of testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Easy and Confidential Process
Our simple process allows clients in Keensburg, IL to order, take, and receive results confidentially. Addressing concerns around privacy, the straightforward steps help ensure a stress-free experience for all participants.

The emphasis on confidentiality and simplicity underscores our commitment to client security while maintaining efficient procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-effective and Prompt Results
Keensburg, IL businesses benefit from our attractive pricing and swift result delivery, making hair follicle testing a cost-effective option. Our competitive prices ensure value and security, appealing to companies irrespective of size.

With a focus on affordability and rapid results, we aim to meet diverse corporate needs while emphasizing efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Reliable Testing in Keensburg, IL
Our hair follicle testing offers unparalleled precision and rapid results, assuring clients of its high accuracy in detecting substance consumption. Providing fast and dependable outcomes, this method is distinguished by its ability to identify drug presence efficiently.

The expedited process involved in hair follicle testing makes it a prime choice for those seeking accuracy and speed in drug detection, ensuring timely insights.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance for Employers
For businesses in Keensburg, IL, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and contributes to a safer work environment, offering peace of mind.

Employers gain confidence in maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations, knowing they're minimizing potential liabilities.

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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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