Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pleasant Mound, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to alteration, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not present, the equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When speaking of head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This entails confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective solution for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initial positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drugs for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to alter results: It is very challenging to defeat a hair drug test, ensuring higher accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines 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 Pleasant Mound, IL
Comparatively, hair follicle tests offer superior benefits over traditional urine tests, most notably in detection reliability and accuracy. While urine tests detect recent drug use better, hair testing boasts an extended detection period of up to 90 days, providing a clearer picture of long-term substance use, thereby enhancing workplace safety and compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Pleasant Mound, IL
One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. This extended detection window provides employers with a thorough overview of an individual's substance use history, which is invaluable for making informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pleasant Mound, IL
Hair follicle tests are designed to minimize the risk of tampering, ensuring the integrity of the test results. The nature of the test makes it difficult to adulterate, offering reliable and unquestionable outcomes. This tamper-resistant feature adds a layer of confidence for employers and legal entities in maintaining drug-free policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Pleasant Mound, IL
Accredited Drug Testing offers the convenience of nationwide testing centers, including local options in Pleasant Mound. Our extensive network ensures that individuals and companies can easily access our testing services, providing quick, hassle-free, and reliable drug testing solutions wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Pleasant Mound, IL
Our straightforward and confidential process for ordering, conducting, and receiving results addresses concerns about privacy and ease of use. From start to finish, we prioritize the protection of personal information, ensuring clients' peace of mind while efficiently managing their testing needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pleasant Mound, IL
We pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times for our hair follicle drug testing services. These features provide excellent value for companies of varying sizes, ensuring they can maintain high standards of workplace safety without compromising on cost-efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pleasant Mound, IL
Hair follicle drug testing excels in delivering quick, precise results. With its unmatched precision, employers can trust the high accuracy levels in identifying any substance use. This test's quick processing times ensure timely outcomes, facilitating efficient management decisions and promoting a safe, drug-free workplace environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pleasant Mound, IL
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety. Knowing that the testing process is reliable and thorough brings peace of mind to employers, safeguarding their organizational standards.

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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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