Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lostant, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become a recognized method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substances due to embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to manipulation, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be collected. In reference to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Outline

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial induction of the sample into a lab's system. This covers ensuring the sample's seal and shipment integrity, the allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and any further data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary examination for the presence of drugs. Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples; however, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction process. At this stage, drugs are derived from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methods to execute.

Positive results from Screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive samples undergo a washing process if needed before confirmation. The sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to cheat: Tampering with a hair drug test is quite difficult, ensuring more precise results.
• Historical insight: It offers a timeline of drug use over a duration, beyond just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Recent use not detectable: Drugs need approximately 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lostant, IL: Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine testing by offering more reliable detection. The extensive detection window ensures that drug use is identified over time, making it superior for compliance and reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lostant, IL: Hair follicle testing offers an impressive detection period of up to 90 days, providing a thorough understanding of an individual's drug use history. This long window is crucial for employers seeking comprehensive evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lostant, IL: Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the possibility of tampering. As a result, they ensure authentic and indisputable outcomes, reducing the risk of sample adulteration which is a concern with other methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lostant, IL: Our widespread network of testing facilities means easy access to services. With both national reach and local availability, testing is straightforward and convenient no matter where you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lostant, IL: The process for requesting, undergoing, and receiving hair follicle test results is streamlined and confidential. This guarantees ease of use and privacy, addressing common concerns regarding testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lostant, IL: We provide competitive pricing options coupled with quick turnaround times. This ensures excellent value, making drug testing accessible and reassuring for business of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lostant, IL: With hair follicle drug testing, results are not only swift but exceptionally precise. This method provides a high level of accuracy, effectively detecting the presence of substances with reliability, ensuring that results are trustworthy and timely.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lostant, IL: Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This approach reduces legal risks and ensures a safer work environment, providing peace of mind.

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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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