Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Laplace, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. The hair captures and holds biomarkers within the fibers as it grows, offering an extended history of substance use. When extracted near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of approximately three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, involves minimal risk of tampering, and facilitates easy transportation.

A segment measuring 1.5 inches from roughly 200 strands of hair (about as thick as a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields around 100mg, which is the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those surpassing 10 panels, it is suggested to use 150mg of the sample. We advise verifying the weight with a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be sourced. Specifically, when mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The core phases in the lab analysis of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This involves confirming the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addressing any remaining data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary, efficient examination for illicit substances. Although screening offers a cost-efficient means to dismiss drug use for most specimens, any positive finding requires confirmation to be legally valid. Presumptively positive screenings necessitate further verification.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is removed from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair in concentrations lower than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all preliminary positive samples may undergo washing as required. The entire evaluation process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and accreditation by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug testing is challenging to cheat, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It offers an overview of drug use patterns over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair about 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing carries a higher cost compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When weighing the merits of hair follicle vs. traditional urine tests in LaPlace, IL, hair testing emerges as superior. Longer detection windows and enhanced reliability characterize the hair testing method. Compared to urine testing, it offers a more comprehensive detection scope and minimizes errors and inaccuracies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests present a remarkable detection timeline, efficiently tracking substance use for up to 90 days in LaPlace, IL. This extended window provides employers with more comprehensive insights into an individual's drug activity, ensuring enhanced assessment of an applicant's suitability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In LaPlace, IL, hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly diminishes risks associated with sample manipulation, providing results that are devoid of adulteration—emphasizing the reliability and unwavering integrity of hair testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers ensures easy access and convenience for residents in LaPlace, IL, and nationwide. Local and national centers facilitate a seamless testing experience, reducing hassle and providing quick service access across the board.

Simple, Confidential Process

Residents in LaPlace, IL benefit from a simple, confidential procedure when engaging in hair follicle testing. The process is designed to respect privacy and facilitate ease of use, from ordering tests to receiving results, ensuring a smooth experience for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and speedy turnaround in LaPlace, IL, underscore the affordability of our hair testing services. Companies of all sizes benefit from our efficient processes, catering to diverse budgets and ensuring fast completion, delivering excellent value and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In LaPlace, IL, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its swift and dependable results, setting a new standard for precision in substance detection. The method excels in providing accurate insights into substance use, making it a valuable tool for reliable data and expedited decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures that employers in LaPlace, IL, remain in compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This practice mitigates legal liabilities and enhances workplace safety, offering peace of mind and fostering a secure and productive 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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