Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plano, IL

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has gained acknowledgment as a crucial approach for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of drug and alcohol usage by imprisoning biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

An ideal sample for screening and confirmation can be acquired from a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hairs (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, which will yield 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional types, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it solely pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any additional data entry not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be validated for admissibility in court. Presumptive positive samples during Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction preparation. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirming any positive screening result utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are exceptionally tough to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Records historical usage: It offers a recurring pattern of drug use over an extended period, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Doesn't detect new use: Drugs become detectable in hair after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine drug testing in Plano, IL, hair testing stands out. It offers superior accuracy and reliability, making it a preferred choice. Traditional urine tests, while useful, do not match the long-term detection capabilities and the tamper-proof nature of hair testing.

Hair follicle testing in Plano, IL, provides a more comprehensive view of substance use history. Unlike urine tests, the lengthy detection window of hair testing is invaluable for employers aiming for thorough employee assessments.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Plano, IL, is a significant advantage. Capable of identifying substance use up to 90 days prior, it offers employers a look at potential long-term usage patterns, aiding informed hiring decisions.

In Plano, IL, this extended window is particularly valuable in contexts where understanding sustained drug use is critical, providing a broad view of an individual's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Plano, IL, benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing. This method significantly reduces risks of adulteration, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of results, which increases employer confidence in drug testing outcomes.

With the robust nature of hair testing, individuals in Plano, IL, can trust the reliability of collected samples, making it a favored method for various professional and legal requirements.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing centers nationwide, including in Plano, IL. This network ensures easy access to services, making drug testing swift and hassle-free for both employers and individuals.

With our local presence in Plano, IL, getting tested is straightforward, supported by our expansive infrastructure that promotes expedient service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Plano, IL, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed with privacy and ease of use in mind, addressing individual concerns about disclosure.

This seamless process in Plano, IL, promotes user confidence, with detailed instructions and support ensuring that test procedures are both private and simple to navigate.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Plano, IL, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle drug testing, alongside swift turnaround times for results. This balance of affordability and efficiency provides considerable value, catering to businesses of all sizes.

Our services in Plano, IL, ensure that high-quality drug testing is accessible, streamlining processes for companies that prioritize both budget and rapid result delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing offers speed and precision in Plano, IL. Its advanced technology ensures highly accurate detection of substance use. With quick processing times, these tests deliver reliable insights, making them an excellent choice for ensuring workplace safety and compliance.

Employers and individuals in Plano, IL, benefit from the efficient results of hair testing. This method's capability to precisely identify substances promotes trust and maintains high standards in various professional environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Plano, IL, find compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. It ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks while enhancing safety and productivity across organizations.

Incorporating hair testing helps Plano, IL, businesses uphold rigorous safety standards, contributing to secure and efficient work environments, reassuring both management and employees.

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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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