Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Riverdale, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term history of substances like alcohol by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. If collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 90-day detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat tamper-resistant, and conveniently transportable.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately #2 pencil thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or screening over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. In context, head hair refers to scalp hair only, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This verifies if the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial brief assessment for the presence of drugs. Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples; however, a positive result needs confirmation for legal evidence. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, compounds are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening a challenging procedure.

Confirmation of positive results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the laboratory process is reviewed according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair testing identifies drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage data: Shows a usage pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• No detection of recent use: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Drug metabolite concentration in hair can be influenced by factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft rather than the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands superior in Riverdale, IL, when compared to traditional urine testing. Accuracy and reliability are notably better with hair tests due to their extended detection period and reduced likelihood of evasion. This method offers peace of mind with its comprehensive results.

Employers with strict drug policies often choose hair tests over urine tests, as the former provides a more complete view of a person’s substance use history over a longer duration.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Riverdale, IL, allows for a detailed insight into an individual’s substance use history. This method can trace drug use up to 90 days, giving employers a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's past drug behavior.

This prolonged detection capability helps employers make informed decisions by considering an expanded timeframe of substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Riverdale, IL, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant testing method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. This testing approach ensures the integrity and reliability of the results, providing unquestionable evidence of substance use.

The difficulty in altering hair sample results makes it a preferred choice for those seeking credible drug testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Riverdale, IL, facilitate quick and easy access to hair follicle drug testing services. This decentralized setup ensures hassle-free testing, catering to the needs of individuals and businesses alike.

Our expansive network of locations allows for efficient scheduling and prompt service delivery, enhancing the overall testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Riverdale, IL, is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and ease of use.

Ensuring a discreet experience is paramount, allowing individuals to undergo testing with minimal anxiety about their privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With our affordable pricing and quick turnaround in Riverdale, IL, hair follicle tests present a valuable option for companies of all sizes. Competitive pricing models coupled with fast result delivery create a peace of mind package for any organization seeking reliable testing services.

This combination of cost-effective solutions and efficiency makes hair follicle testing an appealing choice.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

When it comes to drug testing in Riverdale, IL, hair follicle tests are renowned for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests ensures a high level of accuracy in identifying substance use, providing confidence to all stakeholders in the testing process.

The hair follicle test's ability to deliver quick results without compromising accuracy makes it an ideal choice for employers and other entities in need of dependable testing services.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing in Riverdale, IL, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. Employers gain peace of mind by mitigating legal risks and elevating workplace safety through reliable and comprehensive drug testing methods.

This approach not only promotes a safer work environment but also aligns with industry standards and regulatory demands.

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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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