Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maunie, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository for a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair’s growing fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeframe of roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. This method is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to ship.

A sample length of 1.5 inches containing roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional parameters, and/or analysis exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be sourced. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation are the four principal stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result.

Accessioning pertains to the initial input of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes certifying that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other necessary data input absent in an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Screening serves as a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples; however, any positive screen needs corroboration to be legally acceptable. Samples indicated as presumptive positives in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

A sample presumed positive in the Screening phase leads to more hair being taken from the original sample and made ready for Extraction. Within this step, drugs are separated from hair at a lower concentration than other methods (e.g. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to undertake.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required. The entire lab workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage over a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, resulting in more dependable outcomes.
• Delivers historical information: It illustrates a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than alternate testing methods.
• Result inconsistency: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as “hair follicle tests,” the actual test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Maunie, IL - Hair testing offers a superior alternative to urine tests by boasting enhanced detection capabilities and reliability. With an extended detection window and resistance to cheating, it provides precise results where traditional methods may fall short. Employers and legal systems increasingly prefer hair testing for its unwavering accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Maunie, IL - Hair follicle drug testing stands out with its ability to trace substance use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This transparency offers employers a thorough view of an individual's drug-use history, enabling better-informed decisions about potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Maunie, IL - Hair follicle tests inherently reduce the likelihood of sample tampering due to their collection and analysis procedures. This integrity ensures results are trustworthy, providing a dependable basis for compliance assessments and legal matters.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Maunie, IL - Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation ensures swift and convenient access to services, minimizing disruptions. With local availability, employers and individuals in Maunie can easily engage with our testing resources benefiting from efficient service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Maunie, IL - The procedure for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be straightforward and discreet. This ensures clients' privacy concerns are addressed, delivering an efficient and confidential testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Maunie, IL - We offer competitive pricing structures coupled with quick result turnarounds, providing significant value to employers of any scale. This affordability, combined with rapid service, supports organizations in maintaining effective drug-free policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Maunie, IL - Hair follicle drug testing is known for providing prompt and precise results. The procedural accuracy in detecting drug usage is unmatched, offering reliable insights into substance history. This rapid and accurate analysis serves as a critical tool for employers and legal entities requiring substantial evidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Maunie, IL - Implementing hair follicle testing assists organizations in adhering to drug-free workplace standards, thereby minimizing legal risks. Employers gain peace of mind, knowing that stringent testing procedures enhance overall workplace safety and integrity.

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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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