Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Boston, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as a significant resource for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and other substances by incorporating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to nearly a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for evaluation and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair might be used. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process comprises four principal stages in laboratory processing of a substance test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the primary processing of a specimen into a lab’s system. This entails ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes an initial rapid check for substances of abuse. While screening offers a cost-effective solution to eliminate the possibility of drug use for the vast majority of samples, a positive screen result necessitates confirmation to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Any specimens that show presumptive positive results during screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If a specimen results in a presumptive positive outcome during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All probative positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can determine substance use up to 90 days, compared with urine tests which have a narrower detection period.
• Challenging to compromise: It's notably hard to tamper with a hair drug evaluation, yielding more precise results.
• Yields historical insights: It can display a pattern of substance use over time, instead of indicating only recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It generally takes about 5-7 days for substances to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are usually pricier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the assessment itself focuses on 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 New Boston, IL

• Superior accuracy in detecting substance use over an extended period.
• Hair testing boasts a reliable detection system.
• Minimizes chances of sample tampering compared to urine tests.

While both methods are useful, hair follicle tests offer a broader detection range, setting a higher standard compared to traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in New Boston, IL

• Hair follicle testing uncovers drug use history spanning up to 90 days.
• Employers get a thorough insight into an individual's substance habits.
• This method provides a detailed narrative of past substance use.

For employers aiming for a holistic view, hair tests are an indispensable tool for understanding an applicant's or employee's drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in New Boston, IL

• Significantly lowers chances of sample adulteration.
• Hair tests provide results that are reliable and unquestionable.
• They safeguard against possible manipulation during sample collection.

With improved safeguards, hair follicle testing ensures that results are credible and authentic, offering peace of mind to all stakeholders involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in New Boston, IL

• Nationwide centers bring convenience to users.
• Accessibility to testing services is quick and hassle-free.
• Local centers ensure prompt service without long waits.

Offering both nationwide and local access, Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the process, making it seamless and efficient for participants.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in New Boston, IL

• A seamless process for ordering, testing, and results compilation.
• Emphasizes privacy and ease of use for all clients.
• Addresses participant concerns about confidentiality.

The simple and confidential framework confirms that users feel secure and comfortable throughout every step of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in New Boston, IL

• Competitive pricing structures deliver excellent value.
• Businesses benefit from fast turnaround times.
• Services cater to companies of diverse sizes with efficiency.

Offering affordability paired with speed, Accredited Drug Testing provides top-tier services, ensuring companies receive optimum satisfaction and value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in New Boston, IL

• Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision.
• Speed and accuracy in detecting recent substance use are unmatched.
• They deliver swift and reliable results, reinforcing trust in their outcomes.

Such tests provide a high level of accuracy for substances used up to 90 days prior, ensuring that users get results they can depend on.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in New Boston, IL

• Ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies.
• Reduces legal risks while enhancing safety at workplaces.
• Provides a sound framework for policy enforcement.

Employers can be confident in fostering a safe working environment, knowing they are aligned with regulatory standards for drug-free workplaces.

Drug Testing Near New Boston, IL

Biggsville, IL

Viola, IL

Gladstone, IL

Matherville, IL

Buffalo Prairie, IL

Little York, IL

Oquawka, IL

Illinois City, IL

Aledo, IL

Seaton, IL

Joy, IL

Keithsburg, IL

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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