Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lake Camelot, IL

What it is, How it works

The practice of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and other substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) positioned nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount needed for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a recommendation of 150mg of the sample is given. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen's weight. In circumstances where scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. It is important to note that "head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for a drug test result encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample into a laboratory’s system, involving tasks such as verifying proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data that might be absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary test for detecting drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for ruling out most drug usage cases, a positive screening result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that return a presumptive positive from Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, any presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standards set by ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can recognize drug use over a 90-day span, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is challenging to compromise a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Reveals usage history: It provides insight into drug usage patterns over time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other methods of drug testing.
• Varied results: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth variability can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lake Camelot, IL, hair follicle testing stands superior to traditional urine tests by offering an expansive detection window and reliability in results. While urine tests detect recent use, hair analysis covers up to 90 days, uncovering a broader usage timeline and assuring employers of comprehensive substance history reviews.

Hair tests are harder to manipulate, ensuring authentic results which make them an employer's favored choice over urine tests, which might be vulnerable to deception attempts.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lake Camelot, IL, enables detection of substance use over an extended term, up to 90 days, providing critical insights for employers on an individual's drug history. This thorough assessment spans far beyond typical urine tests, offering a reliable evaluation of past substance interactions.

The extensive detection window ensures that organizations can make informed decisions based on long-term substance monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lake Camelot, IL, hair follicle tests dramatically reduce the chances of sample tampering, offering reliable and unchallengeable results. Their tamper-resistant design ensures integrity and accuracy, making them a trustworthy option for employers and legal bodies seeking absolute certainty in drug testing.

This method of testing safeguards against alteration, providing peace of mind with definitive, unalterable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience through numerous nationwide and local testing centers in Lake Camelot, IL, granting easy and swift access to testing facilities. This accessibility simplifies the testing process, reducing logistical challenges and enhancing customer experience.

With widespread locations, our services offer hassle-free appointments, providing efficient solutions for testing needs across the area.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lake Camelot, IL, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, focusing on ease of use and privacy. From ordering to receiving results, the process is securely managed and customer-centric.

The seamless experience ensures privacy is maintained, and users benefit from an uncomplicated procedure that respects personal confidentiality while delivering trustworthy outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing in Lake Camelot, IL, Accredited Drug Testing provides hair follicle testing with quick turnaround times, guaranteeing excellent value and assurance for businesses of any scale. Our cost-effective solutions deliver substantial benefits without sacrificing quality.
The approachable pricing structure ensures companies can confidently invest in robust drug testing systems.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Lake Camelot, IL, is known for its unparalleled accuracy and rapid results. It efficiently pinpoints substance usage, providing a reliable assessment for individuals and organizations.

The precision of hair testing ensures detailed insights into usage patterns, setting it apart as a reliable tool in substance detection.
With state-of-the-art methodologies, speed and accuracy are guaranteed, making it a preferred choice for precise results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lake Camelot, IL, can take advantage of hair follicle testing to align with drug-free workplace policies, fostering compliance and minimizing legal implications. This testing sustains a secure work environment and reinforces drug policy adherence.
Choosing hair testing supports organizational goals of safety and regulatory compliance, while reinforcing drug policy execution.

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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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