Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lovington, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered close to the scalp, a hair sample can offer up to around a 90-day detection period for alcohol and drug presence. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (approximating the size of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. The specimen's weight should be measured with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair might be used. The term head hair refers only to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

In Accessioning, the sample initially undergoes processing in the laboratory's system. This step confirms the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry that was not included via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates further confirmation to be valid in legal settings. All samples that are presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If a sample exhibits a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

The Confirmation of any positive screening results is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positives are washed prior to the confirmation process as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 quality standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as much as 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Cheating is challenging: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Provides historical usage data: It can elucidate a drug usage pattern over a time span, in contrast to only recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", they actually evaluate the hair strand rather than the hair follicle situated beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lovington, IL
Hair testing surpasses urine testing by offering comprehensive drug detection over an extended period. Hair analysis proves superior with its accuracy and reliability, reducing false-negative rates generally found in urine tests.

With hair testing's extended detection window, it provides a deeper insight into an individual's substance usage history, becoming a preferred choice compared to traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lovington, IL
The hair follicle test stands out for its extended detection window, offering insights into drug use for up to 90 days. This gives employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history.

For employers, such extensive detection aids in making informed decisions, providing a clearer view of an employee or applicant's commitment to a drug-free lifestyle, aiding in maintaining workplace integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lovington, IL
Hair follicle testing virtually eliminates the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results that are both reliable and indisputable. This method's robustness adds to its credibility.

The challenge to alter or cheat on a hair test is considerably reduced due to its collection and analysis procedures, providing peace of mind with every result delivered.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lovington, IL
With numerous nationwide testing centers, including those in Lovington, IL, accessing services is both quick and hassle-free. Wherever you are, there's a center nearby.

This extensive network facilitates seamless scheduling and testing, ensuring that geographic location is never a barrier to accessing top-notch drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lovington, IL
The process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle drug test results is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

From planning to execution, every step is designed to ensure user-friendliness and protection of personal data, reinforcing trust in the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lovington, IL
Hair follicle testing combines competitive pricing with fast turnaround times, providing substantial value for businesses regardless of size.

The cost-effective nature of these services ensures peace of mind while maintaining excellence and prompt results delivery, without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lovington, IL
Hair follicle drug testing offers precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in identifying substance use. This method detects even trace amounts of drugs, providing quick and reliable results.

Employers and individuals can trust in the rapid turnaround of hair follicle testing, ensuring timely decisions based on accurate data. The methodology's robust nature minimizes error rates, offering credibility in results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lovington, IL
Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they comply with necessary regulations.

Adopting hair testing shows a commitment to maintaining safe and productive work environments, shielding businesses from potential liabilities due to substance abuse issues.

Drug Testing Near Lovington, 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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