Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Morris, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. When collected from the area close to the scalp, it can offer up to around a 3-month detection timeline for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional options, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The entire procedure for laboratory processing of a drug test outcome consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into the lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample's correct sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While this is a cost-effective method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to ensure court admissibility. Samples suspected of being positive during Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample seems positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably complex to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are meticulously cleaned before confirmation if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory procedure adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards for accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests have the capability to identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests, which offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It's quite challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, therefore enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: Provides a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Substances typically become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result inconsistencies: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Mount Morris, IL, hair follicle testing surpasses conventional urine tests with unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests detect drug use over an extensive period, denying any masking attempts. Unlike urine tests, which show recent use, hair tests offer profound insight into long-term drug habits, making them invaluable for employers and law enforcement looking to uphold zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Mount Morris, IL, enables detection of substance use up to 90 days prior, far exceeding the temporal limits of urine testing. This extended detection window equips employers with a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history, aiding in hiring decisions and continuous employment evaluations. Such extensive coverage supports maintaining a drug-free and productive workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Mount Morris, IL, reduce the chance of sample tampering or adulteration significantly. Unlike urine tests, which are more prone to manipulation, hair tests offer a foolproof method for obtaining accurate results. Employers and legal enforcers benefit from this reliable approach, ensuring substance abuse assessments are trusted and unhindered by external interference.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Mount Morris, IL, and throughout the nation, our extensive network of testing centers offers convenience and accessibility. With Accredited Drug Testing’s widespread locations, accessing hair follicle testing services is fast and hassle-free. Our nationwide presence ensures swift service delivery, catering to the needs of clients seeking quick and easy drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Mount Morris, IL, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, guaranteeing privacy and ease for all participants. Each stage, from scheduling to receiving results, is designed to prioritize discretion. Our clients trust that their sensitive information remains secure while enjoying the straightforward nature of the testing procedure, underscoring its appeal for widespread use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and rapid result turnaround, Accredited Drug Testing in Mount Morris, IL, delivers excellent value. Our competitive rates cater to companies large and small, ensuring comprehensive drug testing solutions without financial strain. We pride ourselves on maintaining quick processing times, swiftly delivering results that organizations need to maintain safety and compliance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Mount Morris, IL, offer unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use. Accredited Drug Testing boasts state-of-the-art technology and expertly trained staff to ensure reliable results swiftly. Our hair tests provide highly accurate data, critical for employers and judiciary systems requiring trustworthy assessments to make informed decisions on substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Mount Morris, IL, hair follicle testing promotes compliance with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and bolstering safety. These tests ensure adherence to rigorous standards, affording peace of mind that workplace environments remain secure and drug-free. Employers gain assurance from the consistent and validated results produced from this method.

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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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