Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Potomac, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed record of substance use by preserving biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use within an estimated 3-month timeframe. The collection process is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward for shipment.

A sample size of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount needed for evaluation and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, the same quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This process ensures the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any other necessary data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening executes a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although screening offers a cost-effective approach to dismiss drug usage for most samples, confirmation is required for a positive screening result to be legally defensible. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

For presumptive positive samples during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most complex methodology.

For confirmation, any positive screening results are verified via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entirety of the lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is significantly challenging, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It can illustrate drug usage patterns over a period rather than merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair within 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug testing is usually more costly compared to other testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Potomac, IL, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in multiple areas. Superior detection accuracy and extended detection windows allow for a more thorough investigation into one’s substance use history. Unlike urine testing, hair analysis provides employers with a broader view, enhancing confidence in hiring decisions.

Extended Detection Window

One major advantage of hair follicle testing in Potomac, IL, is its extended detection capability. This test captures drug use over a period of up to 90 days. For employers, this long-term view offers insights into applicants’ or employees’ histories with substances, unlike the shorter windows of other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests significantly diminish the threat of tampering in Potomac, IL. Offering tamper-resistant methods, these tests ensure that samples remain untainted, delivering trustworthy and definitive outcomes. This assurance is critical for maintaining integrity in testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide and local testing centers in Potomac, IL, we offer accessible and convenient testing solutions. Our extensive network facilitates prompt and seamless access, ensuring that individuals and employers alike can effortlessly obtain testing services when needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Potomac, IL, is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any concerns individuals might have about the intricacies and discretion of the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Providing affordable solutions with rapid turnaround times in Potomac, IL, our hair follicle tests present exceptional value. With competitive pricing and efficient processing, businesses of all sizes can benefit from cost-effective drug testing services that deliver results promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Potomac, IL, set them apart. Fast, accurate, and dependable, these tests offer powerful detection capabilities, providing more reliable results than traditional methods. Their ability to consistently detect substance use makes them a key tool for ensuring workplace safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Potomac, IL, achieve peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it ensures adherence to drug-free policies. This method reduces legal vulnerabilities and promotes a secure working environment, fostering compliance and confidence throughout the organization.

Drug Testing Near Potomac, IL

Rankin, IL

Royal, IL

Gifford, IL

Bismarck, IL

Alvan, IL

Alvin, IL

Rossville, IL

Penfield, IL

Collison, IL

Henning, IL

Jamesburg, 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