Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Nilwood, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. Collected near the scalp, hair offers up to about a 3-month detection period for these substances. It's easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirming results. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings above 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the hair is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing for a drug test result involves four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of logging a sample into a laboratory’s records. It includes ensuring the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigning it a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and entering any supplementary data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a prompt assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result needs validation to be acceptable in court. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this step, substances are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most complex methods to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, any presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to cheat: It's challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical usage data: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test focuses on analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Nilwood, IL, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering extended detection accuracy. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests provide a broader detection window and reduce the chances of fraudulent results. The precision of hair tests makes them an asset for employers and organizations emphasizing reliability in drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Nilwood, IL, is its extended detection window. With the ability to identify drug use up to 90 days back, employers gain a more comprehensive understanding of a person's substance history. This long-term detection is invaluable for those seeking a thorough drug screening process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Nilwood, IL, offer a tamper-resistant method, diminishing the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures that results are reliable and trustworthy, giving employers confidence in the authenticity of the drug test findings. The integrity of hair testing makes it a preferred choice in rigorous screening environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With widespread testing centers, including local sites in Nilwood, IL, our service ensures convenience and accessibility. You can expect a seamless, hassle-free testing experience, with centers readily available throughout the nation, simplifying the process for all involved parties.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering a hair test in Nilwood, IL, is straightforward and confidential, ensuring an uncomplicated process from start to finish. Our testing procedure respects privacy concerns, making it easy for individuals to participate without anxiety, thus encouraging compliance and enabling smooth operation.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Nilwood, IL, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our affordable strategies ensure you receive outstanding service without compromising on quality or speed, benefiting both employers and individual clients alike.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Nilwood, IL, benefits from the quick and precise nature of hair follicle drug tests. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy rate in identifying substance use. When it comes to detecting drugs, speed and reliability are paramount, making hair testing an excellent choice for both individuals and organizations looking to ensure accurate results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Nilwood, IL, utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with maintaining a drug-free workplace, providing compliance and peace of mind. This method reduces legal risks while promoting workplace safety. Ensuring compliance with drug policies enhances overall organizational security and functionality.

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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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