Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Long Creek, IL

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as a potent method for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. Hair carries a chronological record of alcohol and substance intake by ensnaring biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for substances and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, delivers 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. When we mention head hair, it exclusively pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Outline

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

In Accessioning, the initial sample is processed into the laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

During Screening, an initial prompt evaluation for drug abuse is conducted. Screening offers a budget-friendly method to negate drug usage in most samples, yet a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples which appear positive on the Screening require further confirmation.

If during the Screening phase a sample appears positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples appearing presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Yields historical data: It showcases a pattern of drug usage over a time frame, not merely recent use.

Constraints:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair within 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For individuals in Long Creek, IL, hair follicle testing stands superior to urine tests. Benefits include a longer detection period and reduced possibility for tampering. Accredited Drug Testing ensures higher accuracy and reliability through hair analysis, making it a preferred choice.

While traditional urine tests detect recent drug use, hair testing provides more comprehensive detection, ensuring employers in Long Creek make informed decisions.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Long Creek, IL, offers an extended detection window. This method captures substance use up to 90 days back, giving employers a thorough overview of an individual’s history.

Through this extensive window, employers gain a more comprehensive understanding of potential employees or current staff drug use, ensuring well-informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Long Creek, IL, hair follicle tests ensure tamper-resistant results. These tests minimize the risk of adulteration, providing highly credible outcomes. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample tampering compared to other methods.

Using hair analysis promotes confidence in drug screening, ensuring results are reliable and trustworthy for critical evaluations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide test centers, including Long Creek, IL, offer convenience and accessibility. Our extensive network ensures easy access to drug testing services without the hassle, emphasizing quick and efficient processes.

Local testing in Long Creek ensures clients experience a seamless and convenient process for all their drug testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a straightforward and confidential process with Accredited Drug Testing in Long Creek, IL. Our services guarantee a simple test ordering, taking, and result receiving process, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

Clients can rely on a discreet process ensuring their information remains secure, prioritizing confidentiality at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers Long Creek, IL, cost-effective pricing and rapid turnaround for drug testing services. Our competitive pricing structures add value, especially for organizations seeking reliable testing solutions.

Quick results and budget-friendly options ensure peace of mind, making this investment worthwhile for businesses of diverse sizes and needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Long Creek, IL, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled speed and precision. These tests guarantee high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing fast results that are crucial for decision-making processes.

With advanced technology backing these analyses, hair tests quickly deliver accurate substance detection, ensuring those in Long Creek receive timely and dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Long Creek, IL, hair follicle testing offers compliance assurance and peace of mind. Employers can adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities and enhancing safety within the workforce.

This method ensures that businesses remain compliant and secure, prioritizing safety and reducing potential challenges related to substance use among employees.

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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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