Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Prestbury, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is perceived as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair holds a prolonged record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers in the strands’ fibers. If gathered near the scalp, it presents up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, reasonably hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels over 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing lab process includes these main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning handles the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory system. This step involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry absent from the electronic custody chain.

Screening performs a swift preliminary assessment for substance abuse. It provides a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, but a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing positivity in Screening mandate a secondary verification.

In cases of provisional positivity during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing technically challenging.

Verification of positive screening outcomes is executed by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire lab operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days, versus urine tests with a more limited detection timeline.
• Resistance to manipulation: Manipulating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Reveals usage pattern: It can illustrate drug use trends over a duration, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs generally require 5-7 days to become evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Prestbury, IL
Hair follicle testing offers superior benefits over traditional urine tests. It provides greater accuracy and reliability, with a long detection window that urine tests can't match. It ensures enhanced detection of drug use patterns, making it a preferred choice for thorough substance screenings in Prestbury, IL.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Prestbury, IL
Hair follicle testing is unparalleled in its ability to trace drug use back up to 90 days, presenting a historical view of a person's substance history. Employers in Prestbury, IL benefit from comprehensive insights into applicants or employees' potential drug use, beyond what standard tests offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Prestbury, IL
Hair follicle tests significantly reduce adulteration risks, delivering reliable, unadulterated results. This secure testing method gives confidence that results are untampered and genuine, reinforcing the dependability of the tests conducted in Prestbury, IL.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Prestbury, IL

• Ensuring quick, easy, and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services through our nationwide network of centers. This local presence in Prestbury, IL provides convenience for users, making the testing process straightforward and accessible.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Prestbury, IL

• Our process for ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward and respectful of privacy. Clients in Prestbury, IL can be assured of a confidential experience, alleviating concerns and ensuring ease of use from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Prestbury, IL
We offer competitive pricing structures coupled with quick turnaround times, providing excellent value for companies in Prestbury, IL. This ensures businesses of all sizes can benefit from reliable drug testing without compromising on speed or their budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Prestbury, IL
Hair follicle tests are renowned for their precision and speed, delivering robust and accurate detection of substance use. The method's high accuracy instills confidence in test results, ensuring that individuals and employers in Prestbury, IL can rely on these tests for timely and effective evaluations of drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Prestbury, IL
Implementing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks while enhancing safety. Employers in Prestbury, IL achieve peace of mind knowing they are operating within compliance, fostering a secure working 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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