Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Norwood, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By containing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, it offers an extended record of alcohol and drug presence. When hair is clipped near the scalp, it can reveal up to a 90-day detection period for drugs and alcohol. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

Gathering a sample of 1.5 inches, involving roughly 200 hairs (equivalent in size to a #2 pencil) from the closest point to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation processes. For tests involving EtG, additional metrics, and/or more than 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advocate measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be used. When referencing head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test comprises Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is first integrated into the laboratory’s system, ensuring it was sealed and transported correctly, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data requirements not covered by an electronic system.

Screening offers an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive outcome must be confirmed to be legally valid. Any samples found to be presumptively positive during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Presumptively positive samples in the Screening phase require additional hair for Extraction, extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive result is facilitated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples presumed positive are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP’s (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which detect usage over a shorter timeframe.
• Reduced likelihood of tampering: The results of a hair drug test are more reliable due to the difficulty in cheating.
• Historical overview: It offers insights into an individual’s drug usage pattern over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability in Norwood, IL. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer a longer detection window, capturing a broader history of substance use. This makes it the preferred choice for employers seeking thorough and dependable testing solutions.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

In Norwood, IL, hair follicle testing stands out for its ability to detect drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This feature offers employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history, ensuring a well-informed decision-making process during job applications or employment evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug testing in Norwood, IL, minimizes sample tampering risks significantly. The method stands as a robust option for obtaining dependable and unquestionable outcomes, ensuring the integrity of the drug testing process and reducing potential inaccuracies caused by sample adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations

In Norwood, IL, and nationwide, our testing centers provide quick, accessible options for hair follicle testing. This convenience simplifies the process, making it easier for individuals and companies to access reliable testing services without hassle, ensuring a seamless experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

In Norwood, IL, ordering and receiving hair follicle drug test results is straightforward and private. The process guarantees user confidentiality and ease of use, addressing any privacy concerns while ensuring individuals can access their results smoothly and securely.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle drug testing services in Norwood, IL offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. Companies, regardless of size, benefit from excellent value and timely results, fostering peace of mind and effective management of drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Norwood, IL, hair follicle drug testing is known for its precision. Compared to other tests, it offers quick and accurate results, making it a reliable choice. The method's efficiency ensures timely detection of substance use, maintaining the integrity and high standards expected in drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Norwood, IL, helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing safety, it offers peace of mind and ensures workplace environments remain secure and reliable, aligning with employment laws and standards.

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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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