Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lost Nation, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely regarded as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Human hair documents a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers during hair growth. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection time span of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair samples are straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch specimen comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) located closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional assessments, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be acquired, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system, such as certifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be accepted in court. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples preliminarily positive are washed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption over a period of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection window.
• Increased difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical data: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage across a period, instead of indicating only recent use.

Limitations:

• Restricted detection of recent use: Drugs typically take 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing often incurs higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually involves the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lost Nation, IL, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests due to its enhanced accuracy and reliability. Hair testing provides a longer detection window and is less prone to being tampered with, unlike urine tests. This method detects usage over months, not just days, offering a more thorough understanding of drug histories, ensuring dependable results and peace of mind.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lost Nation, IL offers an extended detection period, tracing substance use back up to 90 days. Employers thus gain deeper insights into an employee's or applicant's drug history. This elongated analysis timeframe captures patterns that quick-turnaround tests might miss, fostering a safer and more informed workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lost Nation, IL, hair follicle testing offers a robust defense against sample tampering. Unlike other testing methods, which are susceptible to adulteration, hair tests ensure integrity, delivering consistent and indisputable outcomes. This reliability supports entities in making well-informed decisions with confidence in the test parameters.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing streamlines the process with nationwide, easily accessible testing centers, including in Lost Nation, IL. This ensures clients enjoy a seamless and quick testing experience, absent of cumbersome procedures, reflecting our commitment to offering convenient top-tier testing services available round-the-clock.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lost Nation, IL, our hair follicle testing approach is simple and confidential. Clients appreciate the user-friendly steps, from ordering to receiving test outcomes, all ensured with utmost privacy. This worry-free method resonates with individuals concerned about maintaining their confidentiality and test result delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lost Nation, IL, our hair follicle testing services boast competitive pricing and expeditious processing, providing substantial value to businesses of varying sizes. Our fast turnaround times ensure that clients receive clear test outcomes rapidly, reinforcing our reputation for affordable, reliable services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Located in Lost Nation, IL, our cutting-edge hair follicle testing is renowned for being rapid, precise, and trustworthy. The impressive speed of hair testing does not compromise accuracy—each test is handled with care, ensuring the immediate detection of substance use. For those seeking dependable outcomes, hair testing presents itself as an outstanding option.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with workplace drug policies in Lost Nation, IL, offering peace of mind to employers. This method reduces legal risks by enhancing workplace safety and aligning with zero-tolerance policies. Through reliable detection and robust legal defensibility, it assures thorough compliance.

Drug Testing Near Lost Nation, IL

Nelson, IL

Reynolds, IL

Amboy, IL

Polo, IL

Lee, IL

Mount Morris, IL

Eldena, IL

Chana, IL

Woosung, IL

Ashton, IL

Oregon, IL

Dixon, IL

Franklin Grove, IL

Grand Detour, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews