Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Liverpool, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The growing fiber of hair retains biomarkers, which offer an extended overview of substances like alcohol and drugs. When collected from near the scalp, hair samples can demonstrate substance use information for a timeframe of up to three months. It's straightforward to collect, resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from nearest the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, supplemental, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it's advised to obtain 150mg. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for the specimen's measurement is advisable. In the absence of head hair, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. In terms of head hair, only scalp hair is considered, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair categories (like facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

Four primary phases exist in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial intake process of a sample into the laboratory system. This phase includes confirming the sample's secure sealing and shipment, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional entries excluded by a digital chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial cursory analysis for substance abuse. While cost-effective for negating substance use across most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. All samples that indicate positive results in Screening require secondary confirmation.

When a sample returns a presumptive positive at the Screening point, additional hair is collected from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn out from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as oral fluid or urine), underlining the complexity of hair drug screening as a methodology.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed to affirm any positive screening findings. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation when needed. The comprehensive laboratory evaluation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is carried out under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: With the ability to detect drug usage for up to 90 days, hair drug tests have a more extended detection window compared to urine tests.
• Test integrity: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: Offers an overview of drug consumption patterns over time, covering an extended period rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Comparatively, hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other methods of testing.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be influenced by factors like hair color and individual growth variations.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the actual process examines the hair strand itself, not the underlying scalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair to urine testing in Liverpool, IL, hair follicle testing offers notable advantages. Its superior detection accuracy and reliability make it a preferred choice.

Unlike traditional urine exams, hair testing provides a more comprehensive account of substance use, making it ideal for numerous applications.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Liverpool, IL, offers an extended detection window, up to 90 days. This provides employers with a detailed perspective on an individual's substance history.

Such extensive monitoring helps employers make informed decisions based on a broad view of substance use over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

By significantly reducing the risk of sample tampering, hair follicle tests in Liverpool, IL, deliver reliable results.

This method ensures test integrity, offering trustworthy outcomes that withstand scrutiny and confirm authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide and local testing centers in Liverpool, IL, provide convenient access to drug testing services.

This ease of accessibility ensures a quick, efficient, and hassle-free testing experience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Liverpool, IL, our drug testing process is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy and ease of use concerns.

From ordering to receiving results, each step of the process is designed to maintain confidentiality and simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing models in Liverpool, IL, ensure fast service and affordability, making drug testing accessible for businesses of all sizes.

Quick turnaround times and cost-effectiveness provide excellent value and reassurance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Liverpool, IL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and efficiency. These tests deliver fast, accurate outcomes, making them indispensable for identifying substance use.

The high level of accuracy in hair testing ensures that individuals are correctly assessed, reinforcing trust in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing, employers in Liverpool, IL, can ensure compliance with drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks.

This reliable testing method enhances workplace safety and provides peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Liverpool, IL

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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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