Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lily Lake, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strands capture biomarkers in the fibers during growth, providing a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug use. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol consumption up to a period of around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, it is relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

An ideal sample for both screening and confirmation purposes consists of a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent in size to a #2 pencil) situated closest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair. For EtG tests, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning includes the initial incorporation of the sample into the laboratory’s system, which entails ensuring correct sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. Despite being a cost-efficient method for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive Screening result must be verified to be acceptable in court. Samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If presume-positive results arise during Screening, additional hair from the initial specimen is prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation if necessary. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation is comprehensively reviewed in line with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Compared to urine tests, hair drug tests allow detection of drug use for a duration of up to 90 days.
• Challenging to deceit: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, thus rendering more accurate results.
• Historical usage patterns: This method offers a timeline of drug use over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Drugs are not detectable in hair until around 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strands rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Lily Lake, IL, markedly surpasses urine testing in several key areas.

• Longer detection period
• More reliable results
• Cheat-proof collection

Extended Detection Window

For employers in Lily Lake, IL, hair follicle drug testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This longer timeframe captures a complete picture of an employee's substance use history, helping make informed decisions in the hiring and monitoring processes.

• Extensive substance history insight
• Supports more informed decisions

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test in Lily Lake, IL, stands out for its tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, delivering results that are trustworthy and hard to manipulate.

• Reduces sample tampering risks
• Reliable and indisputable results

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations throughout Lily Lake, IL. Whether local or national, our centers provide

• Easy access
• Hassle-free services
• Quick and efficient processes

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Lily Lake, IL is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the entire procedure is streamlined, keeping users' privacy a top priority.

• Easy ordering
• Discreet testing
• Secure results delivery

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lily Lake, IL, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing with quick turnaround times. This advantageous combination presents

• Competitive rates
• Fast results
• Great value for everyone

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lily Lake, IL, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with speed and precision. Their ability to accurately detect substance use over a broad period makes them a preferred choice for many.

• Rapid processing times
• Highly accurate detection
• Reliable outcomes

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Lily Lake, IL, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with strict workplace drug policies, offering peace of mind to employers. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety, these tests are vital in maintaining a drug-free environment.

• Ensures policy compliance
• Reduces legal exposure
• Boosts workplace safety

Drug Testing Near Lily Lake, IL

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Kaneville, IL

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Campton Hills, IL

Plato Center, IL

Elburn, IL

Virgil, IL

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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