Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maeystown, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now regarded as a robust method for discovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When samples are collected near the scalp, they can disclose up to a quarter of a year's worth of alcohol and drug history. Hair is easy to gather, fairly resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches from about 200 strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation tests. For testing EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory steps for processing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab system. This stage involves confirming the sample's proper seal and shipment, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any other data input that the electronic chain of custody system does not cover.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although it is a cost-saving method for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Samples testing positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations than seen in other tests (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation for a positive screen is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The procedural flow from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests cover a shorter period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, leading to more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It can show a timeline of drug use over months, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair drug analyses tend to be pricier than other methods.
• Result variation: Elements such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the assessment examines the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing - Residents of Maeystown, IL, benefit from the enhanced accuracy of hair testing. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis offers a broader detection window and is less susceptible to tampering. This ensures employers and legal entities get a clear, reliable history of substance use over an extended period.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window - Hair follicle testing in Maeystown, IL, provides insight into an individual's drug use over a significant duration, up to 90 days. This method offers a broader perspective on potential substance use, giving employers and legal entities thorough information to support decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method - In Maeystown, IL, the reliability of hair testing stems from its resistance to manipulation. The procedural integrity of hair follicle tests deters any attempts of altering outcomes, providing test results that are both reliable and beyond dispute.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations - The ease of accessing hair testing in Maeystown, IL, is unmatched, with nationwide facilities ensuring convenience. Whether locally or across the nation, our centers guarantee a seamless testing experience, accommodating all your drug testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process - Maeystown, IL, offers a discreet process for hair testing. From ordering to results, clients enjoy a straightforward, private experience, allaying privacy concerns by maintaining confidentiality and ease throughout each testing phase.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround - In Maeystown, IL, our competitive pricing and quick response times make hair testing an appealing choice. Providing value without compromising quality, our services ensure economic efficiency coupled with prompt delivery of testing outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results - In Maeystown, IL, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures precision and promptness. The method's high accuracy in identifying substance use offers peace of mind. Results are processed swiftly to meet stringent timelines, ensuring swift and dependable conclusions for all your testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers - Utilizing hair follicle testing in Maeystown, IL, assists companies in maintaining drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal exposure and elevates safety standards, fostering a professional atmosphere that aligns with compliance and internal guidelines.

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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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