Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plainville, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by retaining markers in its growing strands. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal evidence of alcohol and drug intake for up to three months. It's easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A specimen of 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's thickness) taken from the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for analysis and validation. For tests such as EtG, additional screenings, or more than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. Utilization of a jeweler's scale for weighing is suggested. In the absence of sufficient scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair can be used. Our reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp strands, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The process of handling a drug test sample in the lab encompasses four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary intake of a sample into a lab's system, ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening consists of a swift preliminary check for substance abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-effective way to eliminate drug use in the majority of cases, a positive result requires affirmation for court acceptance. Samples that are presumed positive in Screening necessitate a secondary validation.

Upon attaining a presumptive positive outcome in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at notably lower levels than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is executed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: It is highly challenging to falsify a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Delivers retrospective analysis: It reveals a drug use pattern over time rather than recent consumption alone.

Drawbacks:

• Lack of recent detection: Drugs generally take 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Pricing: Hair drug evaluations tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Influences like hair coloration and individual growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Plainville, IL, hair follicle testing reigns supreme over traditional urine tests for several reasons. First, hair tests provide an unmatched detection accuracy, capable of revealing drug use over an extended period. Compared to urine tests, which are limited to a brief detection window, hair follicle tests offer a broader and more reliable reflection of an individual's substance history.

The robust nature of hair testing also makes it the most dependable choice for employers, as it is virtually tamper-proof and shields against attempts to falsify results, thus enhancing workplace safety and accountability.

Extended Detection Window

With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle drug tests in Plainville, IL offer a comprehensive overview of substance use history. This extended capability surpasses traditional testing methods, furnishing employers with a significant advantage in their evaluation process.

Employers gain deeper insights into the behavioral patterns of employees or applicants through longer detection capabilities. Such insights allow for better informed decisions and foster a healthier, drug-free workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Plainville, IL, the hair follicle test is renowned for its tamper-resistant qualities, offering results that are both reliable and unquestionable. Unlike traditional methods, its inherent resistance to adulteration ensures that each test accurately reflects the individual's drug use history.

The practice of observing sample collection further strengthens the test's integrity, providing additional assurance that no sample contamination occurs, and maintaining the trustworthiness of its outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For residents and businesses in Plainville, IL, drug testing is convenient with our network of nationwide testing centers. Regardless of your location, our centers facilitate easy access, ensuring that you receive the testing services you need without hassle.

Quick and efficient services are guaranteed. Wherever you are, simply visit your nearest center and undergo the testing swiftly, benefiting from our convenient and geographically widespread services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing's hair follicle testing procedure in Plainville, IL is distinguished by its simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test to receiving results, the process is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use.

We prioritize providing a seamless experience that addresses concerns about discretion. The straightforward path from test initiation to conclusion assures users that their personal information is handled with the utmost respect and confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle drug testing services in Plainville, IL offer competitive pricing that aligns with company budgets of all sizes. Additionally, our fast turnaround times ensure that results are delivered promptly.

By providing excellent value through affordable pricing and rapid result processing, businesses can proceed with confidence knowing they are supported by cost-effective and efficient testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are a hallmark of hair follicle testing in Plainville, IL. Known for their high precision and speed, these tests offer unparalleled accuracy in detecting recent and past substance use, allowing for informed decisions based on reliable data.

The technology behind hair follicle testing ensures swift processing, providing results efficiently and accurately. This eliminates lengthy waiting periods and delivers the trustworthy outcomes employers need for comprehensive evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Plainville, IL, the implementation of hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method serves as a powerful tool to reduce legal risk and enhance overall workplace safety.

The peace of mind stemming from a thorough and reliable testing process is invaluable. Employers can be confident in the knowledge that their workforce aligns with complete compliance, reducing uncertainties and fostering a safer environment.

Drug Testing Near Plainville, IL

New Hartford, IL

Rockport, IL

New Salem, IL

Camp Point, IL

Coatsburg, IL

Quincy, IL

El Dara, IL

Baylis, IL

New Canton, IL

Barry, IL

Liberty, IL

Fall Creek, IL

Kinderhook, IL

Hull, IL

Payson, 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