Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oakwood Hills, IL

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing is now regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of substance presence by capturing biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can provide a detection window of up to approximately three months for these substances. The collection process is straightforward, it's somewhat challenging to tamper with, and it can be easily transported.

A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For assessments involving EtG, additional tests, and/or over 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other varieties (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory process related to the assessment of drug samples consists of four pivotal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory’s system. This procedure includes ensuring the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry that is not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary, rapid inspection for substance misuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient method to exclude drug consumption in most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation for courtroom admissibility. Samples that return a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation testing.

Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, substances are withdrawn from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening is the most intricate methodology to execute.

The affirmation of any positive Screening findings is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory procedures, from Accessioning through Confirmation, are evaluated in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which provide a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenges in deception: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, hence results are more reliable.
• Historical insights: It reveals a pattern of substance use over time, rather than just current consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be visible in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than other methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color or individual's hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Despite being frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand and not the scalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oakwood Hills, IL
In Oakwood Hills, hair follicle tests are superior due to their extensive detection span compared to urine tests. While urine tests catch drugs used days before, hair tests reveal substance history stretching back months. This extended detection window gives a clearer understanding of patterns, enhancing accuracy and reliability of the findings.

Employers value the thorough insights hair tests provide.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Oakwood Hills, IL
Hair follicle testing allows for up to a 90-day detection window, surpassing traditional methods. This elongated period offers a thorough view of an individual's drug involvement, equipping employers in Oakwood Hills with a detailed understanding of potential hires or current employees' long-term substance use.

The ability to monitor habits over months is invaluable in an informed recruitment process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oakwood Hills, IL
Hair follicle testing stands out for its robust resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, ensuring unquestionable results in Oakwood Hills. This method provides assurance against cheating attempts, securing the integrity of drug testing and reflecting true results.

Employers can trust these reliable assessments for sensitive positions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Oakwood Hills, IL
With testing centers available nationwide, including Oakwood Hills, Accredited Drug Testing offers seamless access to services. Our widespread locations grant ease and accessibility, allowing individuals and employers to efficiently complete required testing without unnecessary delays or travel hassles.

Local centers ensure quick and straightforward service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Oakwood Hills, IL
The process of ordering and undertaking hair follicle tests is straightforward and secure. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes confidentiality, ensuring results are delivered discretely in Oakwood Hills. This simplicity fosters ease of use and peace of mind, addressing common privacy concerns among participants.

Our services maintain discretion and efficiency throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oakwood Hills, IL
Offering competitive pricing, Accredited Drug Testing ensures affordability, catering to businesses of different sizes. Rapid turnaround times further enhance value, providing quick results that aid efficient decision-making in Oakwood Hills. Clients benefit from excellent service speed without breaking the bank.

Our economical structures appeal across industries.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oakwood Hills, IL
Hair follicle drug testing is celebrated for its precision and swiftness. The test's ability to accurately detect substances makes it a preferred choice in Oakwood Hills. Offering high accuracy rates, it ensures individuals and employers receive rapid, reliable results, bolstering trust in testing outcomes.

With advanced technology, hair tests provide swift results by precisely identifying substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oakwood Hills, IL
Using hair follicle tests ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal exposures and boosting safety. Employers in Oakwood Hills benefit from the confidence that policies are enforced, creating a secure working environment and offering peace of mind.

Comprehensive compliance reiterates the commitment to safety and legality.

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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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