Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Park, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing acts as a robust method for assessing drug and alcohol use. Hair provides a durable record of alcohol and drugs by trapping biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair offers a detection range of up to about three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 strands of hair (similar to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's beneficial to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage of processing a sample in a lab's system. This involves confirming the proper sealing and sending of the sample, giving it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry outside an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage from the majority of samples, a positive screen needs further confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminarily positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter window.
• Hard to deceive: It is highly challenging to fake a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Supplies historical data: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot trace recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than alternate drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines 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 North Park, IL
When comparing hair follicle and urine drug tests, the former stands out for its superior detection abilities. In North Park, IL, businesses and regulatory bodies have experienced higher reliability with hair testing due to its longer detection window and harder-to-tamper nature.

Hair tests are favored for their superior capacity to uncover drug usage patterns effectively, while urine tests, though useful, offer a much shorter detection window, making them less effective for scrutiny over time.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in North Park, IL
The hair follicle testing method is revered for its ability to detect drug usage over an extended period—up to 90 days. This comprehensive review equips employers in North Park, IL, with detailed substance use histories for applicants and employees.

Long-term detection gives employers considerable insight, ensuring informed recruitment decisions and seamless maintenance of drug-free work environments, thus reinforcing policy adherence.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in North Park, IL
Hair follicle tests are inherently resistant to manipulation compared to other methods. This makes them the preferred choice in North Park, IL, for delivering results that are reliable and incontrovertible.

Due to the supervised nature of sample collection, coupled with the biological traits of hair samples, this testing method greatly mitigates the risk of adulteration, bolstering confidence in the results provided.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in North Park, IL
Accessible testing centers nationwide, including in North Park, IL, make hair drug testing a headache-free experience. Our extensive network ensures swift, straightforward access to testing services anywhere you need them.

Locals and businesses alike find comfort in our easily accessible locations, guaranteeing prompt and process-efficient testing practices for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in North Park, IL
The hair follicle testing process in North Park is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. With a streamlined order-to-result flow, clients can trust the protection of their privacy and data.

The process is crafted to ensure ease of use, making the experience straightforward and respecting the personal dignity of each individual tested.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in North Park, IL
In North Park, IL, we've developed our pricing structures to remain competitive while ensuring swift turnaround times. These efforts maximize the value we deliver, realizing cost-effectiveness for companies of diverse sizes.

Our commitment to affordability means businesses can rely on gaining precise insights efficiently without inflating costs or compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in North Park, IL
Hair follicle drug tests in North Park deliver prompt results without compromising accuracy. This precise detection method ensures reliable insights into substance use histories, greatly benefiting employers and overseeing bodies relying on fast, accurate evaluations.

Thanks to cutting-edge techniques, hair tests are optimized for precision. Employers can promptly access these results, minimizing uncertainty regarding an individual's substance use, thus enhancing decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in North Park, IL
For North Park, IL employers, hair follicle testing ensures seamless compliance with drug-free policies, safeguarding against potential legal issues while enhancing workplace safety and culture.

Employers benefit from the reduced risk of non-compliance, showing commitment to a safe environment and amplifying their confidence in meeting legal obligations.

Drug Testing Near North Park, IL

Elmwood Park, IL

Park Ridge, IL

Golf, IL

Wilmette, IL

Norridge, IL

Morton Grove, IL

Morton, IL

Harwood Heights, IL

Evanston, IL

Norwood, IL

Niles, IL

Skokie, IL

Park City, IL

Chicago Ridge, IL

Lincolnwood, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews