Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Bedford, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands provide an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within their fibers. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can offer an approximate 3-month detection duration for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch hair section, consisting of roughly 200 strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional testing or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary steps in laboratory analysis of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial entry of a sample into the lab's system, which includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drugs. Although it's an economical method to exclude drug use in most cases, any positive screening needs verification to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are then extracted at reduced concentrations compared to other methods, such as urine or oral fluids, making hair drug screening a complex process.

Confirmation for any positive result from screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo a washing procedure before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and follows the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a much shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Changing the outcome of a hair drug test is extremely difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Tracks usage history: It offers a timeline of drug usage, not restricted to recent intake.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection of recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair 5-7 days after intake.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are often pricier than other testing options.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in New Bedford, IL, stands out as a more effective approach compared to urine testing. Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers a superior detection rate with a longer detection window. Urine tests might miss substances if used days before testing, but hair tests remain a reliable solution, detecting substances for up to 90 days, providing a holistic view of substance history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window, offered by hair follicle tests in New Bedford, IL, spans up to 90 days, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of drug use. Employers benefit from this protracted period, gaining a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, which is vital for making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests in New Bedford, IL, significantly reduce tampering risks. Unlike urine tests, these tests are tamper-resistant due to the difficulty of altering hair samples. This ensures reliable and unquestionable results, offering certainty for employers relying on accurate and genuine substance use reports.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network of testing locations, including those in New Bedford, IL, ensures convenience for clients. These centers provide easy access to testing services, facilitating a quick and hassle-free testing experience. Regardless of where you are, our centers are strategically located for your testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in New Bedford, IL, is simple and confidential. From ordering to result delivery, every step prioritizes your privacy and ease of use. Our secure procedures ensure that your information remains protected while offering a straightforward experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In New Bedford, IL, competitive pricing on hair follicle drug tests ensures that businesses of all sizes receive excellent value. Coupled with fast turnaround times, our services offer both affordability and efficiency, providing peace of mind for companies monitoring workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New Bedford, IL, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and accuracy. These tests deliver fast results, often outperforming traditional methods in both detection and reliability. With swift processing times, employers and individuals can have peace of mind, knowing they will receive timely and precise outcomes that accurately reflect substance use history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In New Bedford, IL, hair follicle testing provides employers with peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only adheres to legal standards but also enhances workplace safety, mitigating potential legal risks associated with substance use in the workplace.

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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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