Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oakland, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows, hair offers a prolonged record of substance use. Hair gathered near the scalp can reveal a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and verifying. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or screenings above 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. In references to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial intake of a sample into a lab’s system, ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary and rapid assessment for drug use. Although Screening is a resourceful method for negating drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should there be a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. This stage involves the extraction of drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), showcasing why hair drug testing is the most intricate methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is performed through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation aligns with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage over approximately 90 days, in contrast to the shorter window of urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: The difficulty in cheating hair drug tests results in higher accuracy.
• History insight: Provides an overview of drug consumption trends over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recognizing recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair in roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact detectable metabolite concentrations.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Oakland, IL, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine tests due to its comprehensive detection abilities. Unlike traditional urine testing, which offers a limited detection timeframe, hair tests cover up to 90 days, capturing a broader scope of drug use. This accuracy and reliability make it a preferred choice for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle tests in Oakland, IL, offer an insightful look into substance use history. Spanning up to 90 days, they provide employers with a detailed account of potential employee drug use. This comprehensive testing period outperforms the limits of typical urine tests, enabling better-informed decisions regarding workforce integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Oakland, IL, hair follicle testing stands out for its tamper-resistant qualities, substantially minimizing sample adulteration risks. These tests are nearly foolproof, offering uncompromised and dependable results. This reliability ensures the integrity of workplace drug testing, enhancing trust in results and decision-making processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is king in Oakland, IL, thanks to our extensive testing centers both locally and nationally. Accredited Drug Testing provides easy access, ensuring the testing process is seamless. Quick and hassle-free services at these locations support individuals and businesses in accessing necessary tests promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Oakland, IL residents benefit from a simple, confidential hair testing process. Accredited Drug Testing ensures privacy is prioritized from order to results. Our straightforward procedure alleviates concerns about confidentiality and complexity, providing reassurance and convenience through every testing phase.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Oakland, IL, our affordable hair testing options come with rapid turnaround times, offering excellent value. Accredited Drug Testing delivers competitive pricing structures that do not compromise on speed and reliability, granting businesses confidence in their investment and timely, dependable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Oakland, IL, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their fast and reliable results. They excel in precise substance detection over conventional methods. The efficiency of these tests ensures quick data delivery, providing confidence in timelines without compromising substance detection accuracy, aiding prompt decision-making for employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Oakland, IL, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace regulations. This method not only mitigates legal issues but also fortifies workplace safety, creating a secure and compliant business environment that protects both employees and the organization.

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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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