Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lincolnwood, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers of alcohol and other substances, serving as a long-term record within the fibers of the strand. When collected from the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is uncomplicated, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent in thickness to a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equal volume of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, a sample is initially entered into a lab's system. This process ensures the sample's seal and shipping integrity, assigns a random laboratory accessioning number (LAN), and fills in any data entry gaps not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug use. While cost-effective for excluding drug use in the majority of samples, positive screening results require confirmation to be valid in court. Presumptively positive samples in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to conduct.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have shorter detection spans.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, ensuring results are more reliable.
• Records historical usage: It reveals drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand without involving the scalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lincolnwood, IL

Hair testing offers a significant edge over traditional urine tests with its superior detection accuracy. The ability to uncover drug use over an extended period ensures that the results are more reliable, reflecting a comprehensive assessment for substance use rather than a snapshot offer by urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lincolnwood, IL

With the capability to detect drug use over up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers employers a detailed overview of an individual's substance use. This extended detection period is invaluable, providing a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, which is not possible with short-term urine testing.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lincolnwood, IL

Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the probability of sample tampering. The test's design makes it challenging to alter, ensuring that the results are reliable and conclusive. This quality is particularly important for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lincolnwood, IL

Our extensive network of testing centers across the country guarantees that accessing services is both swift and straightforward. Whether in Lincolnwood or beyond, clients can expect hassle-free testing at locations nearby, ensuring maximum convenience and minimal disruption to their schedules.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lincolnwood, IL

The process of ordering and undertaking a hair follicle test is streamlined to ensure simplicity and confidentiality. Clients can trust in the privacy of their information and ease of access to services, alleviating concerns associated with drug testing procedures, from ordering to receiving results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lincolnwood, IL

Our competitive pricing makes hair follicle testing accessible for businesses of any size, ensuring excellent value. Coupled with quick turnaround times, this affordability provides peace of mind and operational efficiency, underscoring our commitment to customer satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lincolnwood, IL

Hair follicle drug tests provide swift, precise outcomes. Their high accuracy in identifying substance use is unmatched, offering dependability that supports informed decision-making in a variety of settings. The testing process ensures quick results without compromising on thoroughness, presenting an advantage in time-sensitive scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lincolnwood, IL

Utilizing hair follicle testing helps ensure that workplace drug policies are enforced effectively. By reducing legal liabilities and enhancing workplace safety, employers gain peace of mind knowing they are compliant and protecting their business and workforce from potential drug misuse issues.

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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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