Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kell, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair traps biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair, providing a long-term history of substances. When collected near the scalp, hair offers nearly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, fairly resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg, which is ideal for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. We suggest weighing the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair covers all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step of processing a sample into the laboratory system. This step includes ensuring correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a preliminary check for drug use. While it is a cost-effective way to rule out drug use in most samples, positive screens need confirmation to be legally admissible. Samples that are initially positive require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the specimen for further Extraction. In this phase, drugs are taken from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair testing is the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of positive Screening results is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• A long detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: It’s extremely difficult to cheat a hair drug test, resulting in more accurate findings.
• Supplies historical insights: Hair testing provides a usage pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to find immediate use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests are generally pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and personal hair growth differences can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Kell, IL
Hair follicle tests offer a major advantage over urine tests with their extended detection periods and resistance to tampering. In Kell, IL, hair tests provide superior detection accuracy, making them a reliable choice for employers and agencies.

While traditional urine tests remain widely used, the thoroughness of hair testing gives a more complete view of substance use history, reducing the chance of error or manipulation.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Kell, IL
Hair follicle testing provides a vast window for detecting drug use, offering insights into an individual’s substance history up to 90 days. This attribute gives employers in Kell, IL a comprehensive overview of drug habits, aiding in informed decision-making.

The lengthy detection range ensures that employers are fully aware of an applicant or employee's long-term substance use, which traditional tests may not reveal.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kell, IL
In Kell, IL, hair follicle tests minimize risks of sample adulteration, making them a highly reliable testing method. This robust defense against tampering ensures results remain unquestionable and trusted by employers.

Hair testing's unique collection method significantly reduces the chance of cheating, providing peace of mind and maintaining the validity of results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Kell, IL
Our widespread network of testing centers in Kell, IL and nationwide ensures easy access to drug testing services. This convenience allows quick and hassle-free testing, suited to both local and distant clients.

By providing a range of accessible locations, we eliminate the stress of finding reliable testing centers, offering efficiency and ease to clients wherever they are.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Kell, IL
Ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests in Kell, IL is a straightforward and private process. Our services prioritize confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns with ease and security.

Clients appreciate the streamlined nature of our services, which ensure their information remains protected throughout the testing procedure, from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kell, IL
In Kell, IL, we provide competitive pricing for hair follicle drug testing, coupled with fast processing times. Our cost-effective solutions are designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes without compromise.

Fast result turnaround further ensures these services deliver value and peace of mind quickly, allowing companies to efficiently manage their workforce.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Kell, IL
Hair follicle drug tests in Kell, IL offer unparalleled precision in detecting substance use. With a method that ensures swift and accurate results, these tests eliminate delays, offering a quick turnaround for employers keen to make informed decisions. It's the dependable choice that promotes confidence in outcomes.

Employers benefit from the speed and accuracy of hair tests, making them a top choice for reliability in drug screening. This efficiency ensures consistent, trustworthy results that enhance workplace policies and safety.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kell, IL
Employers in Kell, IL benefit from hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. These tests reduce legal risks while improving safety and compliance, offering companies peace of mind.

With enhanced detection and reliable results, employers are equipped to handle drug policy violations confidently, safeguarding their 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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