Hair Follicle Drug Testing - O'fallon, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by holding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp furnishes 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This incorporates confirming the sample was securely sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes an initial cursory check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient way to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require a further validation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening stage, more hair is drawn from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower levels than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing the most challenging method to carry out.

Validation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation when needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which possess a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is notably challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reflect a drug usage pattern over an extended timeframe, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can alter the concentration of drug byproducts in the hair.

Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When evaluating drug test methods, hair follicle testing excels over urine tests in O'Fallon, IL. It offers a comprehensive detection ability that far surpasses the traditional urine test. The enhanced accuracy and reliability of hair tests make them invaluable for employers keen on maintaining a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

In O'Fallon, IL, hair follicle testing offers a remarkable detection window extending up to 90 days. This extended period provides employers with a thorough substance history of applicants and employees, supporting informed decision-making. It ensures that past substance use over a significant timeframe is reliably captured.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests provide an outstanding tamper-resistant method in O'Fallon, IL. Such tests greatly reduce the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring the outcomes are trustworthy and decisive. Their resistance to manipulation elevates their reliability over more susceptible testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With many convenient testing centers available nationwide and locally in O'Fallon, IL, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward. The easy access ensures tests are conducted quickly and efficiently, providing a hassle-free experience for those seeking reliable drug screening solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In O'Fallon, IL, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. This streamlined approach to ordering tests and receiving results places privacy at the forefront, ensuring users feel secure and comfortable throughout the process. The ease of use makes these tests a preferred option.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, hair follicle testing in O'Fallon, IL is affordably accessible to companies of all sizes. Organizations can enjoy excellent value without compromising on the quality or timeliness of results, catering to both cost-conscious and quality-driven individuals.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests stand out in O'Fallon, IL. These tests offer highly accurate detection of substance use, ensuring individuals are tested efficiently. Their reliability in pinpointing drug use provides confidence for employers and institutions alike, making them a preferred choice for rigorous screening requirements.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in O'Fallon, IL benefit from the compliance and peace of mind hair follicle testing offers. These tests help adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities while enhancing workplace safety. By integrating hair testing into their policies, organizations can safeguard their operations effectively.

Drug Testing Near O'fallon, IL

Summerfield, IL

French Village, IL

Woodland, IL

Collinsville, IL

Rentchler, IL

Caseyville, IL

Belleville, IL

Swansea, IL

Lebanon, IL

Hollywood Heights, IL

Oak Hills, IL

Scott AFB, IL

Fairview Heights, IL

Fairview, IL

Shiloh, 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