Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mendon, IL

What it is, How it works

Detecting drug and alcohol use effectively has been made possible through hair testing. This method offers a comprehensive history of substances like alcohol by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. A sample taken near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of up to three months. Hair is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is scarce, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we are specifically indicating scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a specimen into a lab's system. This step entails confirming that the sample was securely sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid assessment for drugs. Although Screening is an economical way to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples presenting a presumptive positive in Screening require a confirmatory follow-up.

A sample showing presumptive positivity during Screening prompts additional hair extraction from the initial sample for further analysis. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than methods such as urine or oral fluid testing. This makes hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmed positive Screening results are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny adhering to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify substance use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Retrospective analysis: It provides an ongoing pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Can't identify recent usage: Drugs become identifiable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result fluctuation: Hair color and personal variations in hair growth influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle itself.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Mendon, IL, hair testing outperforms traditional urine tests through enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair follicle tests provide a broader detection window and are less prone to tampering, making them a more dependable option for substance screening.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Mendon, IL, employers benefit from a prolonged detection period, up to 90 days. This allows for a more thorough assessment of an individual's drug-use history, providing a clearer picture of their substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the key benefits of hair follicle tests in Mendon, IL, is their resistance to tampering. This method greatly minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring that test results are both trustworthy and indisputable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is a cornerstone of our service, with widespread testing centers across the nation, including Mendon, IL. This ensures that individuals and organizations have quick and easy access to our testing facilities, without the hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Mendon, IL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, it emphasizes privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns over personal data and testing confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We pride ourselves on competitive pricing for hair follicle tests in Mendon, IL, coupled with fast turnaround times. This delivers great value and assurance for businesses, regardless of size, striving to maintain a drug-free environment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Mendon, IL, offers speedy and precise results. The meticulous nature of this testing ensures a high level of accuracy in identifying substance use. This precision aids employers and other stakeholders in making informed decisions based on reliable data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Mendon, IL, supports employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment, this method provides assurance and peace of mind for businesses.

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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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