Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Keithsburg, IL

What it is, How it works

Acclaimed as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol presence, hair testing has gained prominence. Hair encapsulates biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, providing a comprehensive historical account of alcohol and other substances. By obtaining samples near the scalp, hair can deliver approximately a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) from the scalp area, typically yields 100mg—ideal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG add-ons and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to obtain 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement of the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be acquired. The term head hair exclusively denotes scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the lab's system. This phase includes verifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug usage for most samples, any positive screening requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

For samples that demonstrate presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction stage. Drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid); hence hair drug screening is the most complex methodology.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, compared to the limited detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating on a hair drug test proves to be quite challenging, leading to higher accuracy in results.
• Chronological data provision: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically require 5-7 days to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" commonly used is somewhat of a misnomer, as the analysis pertains to the hair strand and not the underlying follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Keithsburg, IL, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests due to its superior accuracy and reliability.

• Hair tests detect substances over an extended period.
• They are challenging to cheat, offering employers a trustworthy option.
• The observed collection process ensures integrity, reducing tampering risks.

Extended Detection Window

In Keithsburg, IL, hair follicle testing offers an expanded detection window of up to 90 days, providing employers with a comprehensive insight into substance usage.
This extensive period showcases an individual's long-term drug use history, crucial for making informed decisions about potential employees or monitoring current staff.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests dramatically minimize sample tampering risks in Keithsburg, IL.
These tests provide reliable and trustworthy results that withstand scrutiny.

• Observed collection reduces interference possibilities.
• The hard-to-alter structure of hair samples ensures accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible nationwide and locally in Keithsburg, IL, our testing centers offer a seamless experience to individuals and businesses seeking hair follicle testing.

• Wide coverage ensures minimal travel.
• Convenient locations make drug testing services easily accessible.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our straightforward, confidential process in Keithsburg, IL, ensures privacy and ease when ordering and receiving hair follicle testing results.
Participants appreciate the discreet nature of the process, which respects their privacy while ensuring reliable outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Keithsburg, IL, we provide cost-effective pricing and swift processing times for hair follicle testing.

• Financially-conscious options suit all workplace sizes.
• Rapid turnaround delivers timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and rapid results of hair follicle drug tests in Keithsburg, IL, are unmatched. Their high accuracy provides a reliable method for detecting substance use.
Hair tests boast an efficient process, ensuring individuals receive timely results while maintaining high detection accuracy, vital for personal and administrative use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Keithsburg, IL, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal hazards and bolstering safety.
Employers gain assurance with a drug-free environment, improving compliance and reducing potential legal complexities, while fostering a 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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