Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Phillipstown, IL

What it is, How it works

Recently, hair testing has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By incorporating biomarkers into the fibers during hair growth, hair offers an extended record of alcohol and other drug use. When sourced near the scalp, hair can unveil alcohol and drug presence up to nearly a 3-month timespan. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

Gathering a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly akin to a #2 pencil's girth) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal quantity for testing and confirming results. For EtG assessments, supplementary analyses, and/or evaluations involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is advisable. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair exclusively denote scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses alternative types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases in laboratory processing of drug test results consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning describes the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This step confirms correct sample sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody procedure.

Screening delivers a preliminary swift examination for drugs of abuse. Despite Screening being an economical approach to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a subsequent verification is essential for court acceptance of a positive result. Samples deemed presumptively positive at this stage require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample registers as presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is sourced from the initial collection for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at notably diminished concentrations than in alternate methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Any positive screening outcome necessitates Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to the ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug tests are exceedingly difficult to compromise, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: This method provides a usage trend over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally bear higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on analyzing the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Phillipstown, IL Hair testing boasts superior detection precision and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. It screens for drug use over a longer period, offering an accurate evaluation of an individual's substance use history. This accuracy is invaluable in settings with strict no-drug policies and court requirements.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Phillipstown, IL Hair follicle testing provides insights into drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This affords employers a thorough understanding of an employee or applicant's substance history, thus supporting informed decision-making and fostering a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Phillipstown, IL Hair follicle tests greatly minimize the risk of sample tampering. The method's robustness ensures the integrity of the test results, making them a preferred choice for settings requiring absolute reliability and accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Phillipstown, IL With testing centers spread nationwide, accessing our services is both quick and hassle-free. We ensure that our testing procedures are accessible, providing convenience to individuals and businesses seeking reliable drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Phillipstown, IL Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined, ensuring a straightforward and discreet experience. We prioritize privacy, making it easy for individuals to undergo testing without concerns about confidentiality breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Phillipstown, IL Our pricing structures are competitive, offering excellent value while ensuring rapid turnaround times. Companies of all scales can benefit from our cost-effective and timely service, which alleviates the financial and logistical burdens of drug testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Phillipstown, IL Hair follicle drug tests offer swift and precise detection of substance use. The analysis is meticulous, ensuring high accuracy in identifying the presence of drugs. This makes them highly reliable compared to other tests, providing individuals and organizations with trustworthy results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Phillipstown, IL Embracing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug policies. It mitigates legal liabilities and strengthens workplace safety. This method provides employers with confidence, knowing that they are upholding a safe and compliant environment.

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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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