Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ridgefield, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is a highly effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (about the same as a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the preferred sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and enters any additional data not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening starts with a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be permissible in court. Any samples tested positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

For samples deemed positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are removed from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the unique challenge in hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples tested as positive are washed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical data: It can outline a usage pattern over a period, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detection: It generally requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Choose Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Testing in Ridgefield, IL Hair testing offers a distinct advantage due to its superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests can detect drug use over a more extended period, providing employers and professionals with a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use history. This gives a clearer and more accurate detection capability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ridgefield, IL Hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection window of up to 90 days, giving employers a detailed overview of a person's substance history. This prolonged period captures a comprehensive snapshot of past drug use, making it a valuable tool in assessing both job applicants and current employees effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Resistant Testing in Ridgefield, IL One of the key strengths of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering. With hair samples being less susceptible to adulteration compared to urine samples, this method ensures the integrity of the test remains intact, delivering reliable and unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations Nationwide and Locally in Ridgefield, IL Our testing centers, located both nationwide and locally in Ridgefield, IL, offer unparalleled convenience. This wide network allows for easy and accessible testing services, reducing the hassle and ensuring prompt service for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Process in Ridgefield, IL Our testing procedure is straightforward and confidential. From ordering a test to collecting samples and ultimately receiving results, we prioritize privacy and ease of use, addressing any privacy concerns while ensuring a smooth experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Quick Turnaround in Ridgefield, IL We offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, delivering excellent value to businesses of all sizes. Our cost-effective solutions ensure companies can confidently conduct necessary drug testing without financial strain or delays.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precise and Swift Outcomes in Ridgefield, IL Hair follicle drug testing in Ridgefield offers unmatched accuracy and rapid results. These advanced tests are adept at identifying drug use with high precision, ensuring reliability in results. With fast processing times, you can trust that you'll receive the necessary insights promptly, which is vital for timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ridgefield, IL Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with workplace drug-free policies. It significantly diminishes the legal risks associated with drug use in the workplace, offering peace of mind and supporting a safer work 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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