Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Holland, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for detecting the consumption of substances and alcohol. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide an insight into alcohol and drug use over nearly a three-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (matching the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, ideal for initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent portion of body hair can be utilized. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four core phases in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening provides a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of interest. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug presence in most samples, positive screenings must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples that appear positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample screens preliminarily positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug analysis the most intricate technique.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: It is exceptionally challenging to fraud a hair test, leading to more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It demonstrates a consumption pattern over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests are typically pricier compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Even though they're sometimes termed "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In New Holland, IL, hair follicle testing unmistakably outshines traditional methods like urine tests. This is due to the superior detection accuracy and reliability offered by hair samples. While urine tests may miss certain substances, hair follicle tests reliably identify them, providing a more comprehensive overview.

Extended Detection Window

A significant advantage of hair follicle testing in New Holland, IL, is its extended detection window. This method can reveal substance use over a span of up to 90 days. For employers, this offers a more detailed understanding of a candidate's or employee's long-term drug history, ensuring informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in New Holland, IL, is inherently tamper-resistant. This testing procedure offers minimal opportunity for sample tampering, guaranteeing the integrity and authenticity of the results. Organizations can rely on these outcomes, knowing they're free from manipulative interference.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents in New Holland, IL, benefit from our numerous nationwide testing locations that ensure prompt access to essential testing services. Locally and across the nation, Accredited Drug Testing offers seamless and efficient testing experiences, catering to diverse user needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing process in New Holland, IL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving outcomes, each phase prioritizes user privacy and ease. Participants can be confident in a process that respects their needs and streamlines their experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our offerings in New Holland, IL, emphasize affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. With competitive rates and quick results, organizations of various sizes find exceptional value. This efficiency aids companies in making timely, informed decisions without budgetary concerns.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New Holland, IL, hair follicle drug testing delivers fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests boast high precision in identifying substance use, making them invaluable for those who demand quick and trustworthy outcomes. Their ability to swiftly trace drug use ensures users receive the critical data they need without delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle tests helps New Holland, IL employers maintain compliance with workplace drug policies. This testing not only reinforces a drug-free environment but also minimizes potential legal woes, fostering a safer and more secure workplace atmosphere.

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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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