Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Knollwood, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides an extended timeline for tracking drug and alcohol biomarkers, captured in the strands of growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, such hair can reveal substance use over roughly a three-month period. The sample collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

By collecting a 1.5-inch piece of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil width) near the scalp, you will obtain 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond 10, it's advised to use 150mg. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a proportionate amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we're solely referencing scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types such as facial and underarm hair.

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, samples are initially processed into the laboratory system. This phase involves checking that the specimen was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result must be validated to be legal. Samples showing presumptive positives during Screening require additional confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, extra hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at concentrations lower than other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Positive results from the screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which are more limited.
• Hard to tamper with: The difficulty in manipulating a hair drug test enhances result accuracy.
• Provides usage patterns: It reveals a timeline of drug use rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically need about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually carry a higher cost compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle itself.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms Urine Tests in Knollwood, IL

• Hair tests offer a much longer detection window.
• High accuracy compared to traditional testing.
• Nearly impossible to circumvent, ensuring reliable data.
• Provides a comprehensive assessment over several months.

These benefits make them superior to standard urine tests, ensuring more dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window Benefits in Knollwood, IL

• Detects drug use for up to 90 days.
• Gives insight into long-term substance patterns.
• Provides employers with a thorough view of drug use history.

This extended timeframe allows companies to make better-informed decisions with a broader context of an individual’s drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing with Hair Follicle Methods in Knollwood, IL

• Highly resistant to tampering.
• Ensures authenticity of samples.
• Minimizes risk of adulteration.

This results in higher reliability and trust in the test outcomes, which is crucial for employers and legal authorities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Knollwood, IL

• Nationwide network of testing centers.
• Local access to hassle-free services.
• Ensures swift appointment scheduling.

This extensive coverage facilitates easy and stress-free testing processes, providing flexibility and convenience to all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Private Testing Process in Knollwood, IL

• Simple steps from ordering to results.
• Confidential handling of personal information.
• Streamlined procedures ensure user-friendliness.

This user-friendly approach assures comfort and privacy, addressing concerns and enhancing the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Swift Results in Knollwood, IL

• Affordable testing packages for all sizes.
• Rapid turnaround times for quick insights.
• Excellent value without compromising quality.

These attributes provide businesses and individuals with cost-effective, rapid solutions without sacrificing accuracy or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Knollwood, IL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their remarkable accuracy and speed. Their ability to identify substance use with high precision surpasses more traditional testing methods. This accelerated processing time delivers rapid results, making hair testing an ideal choice for both employers and individuals requiring reliable outcomes.

• Hair tests offer swift and trustworthy results.
• High-level precision ensures dependable findings.
• Rapid processing aids prompt decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Knollwood, IL

• Retain peace of mind with a drug-free workplace.
• Reduces legal risks through compliance.
• Boosts workplace safety and security.

By implementing hair testing, companies mitigate risks associated with drug use, ensuring a safer, more compliant 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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