Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Roselle, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within its fibers. When samples are procured close to the scalp, they can reveal a detection timeline of around three months for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's thickness), collected nearest the scalp will weigh approximately 100mg, the optimal quantity for testing. For EtG tests, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen quantity of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample's secure seal and proper shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data not included in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs an initial assessment for drug abuse indicators. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Presumptively positive samples from Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Presumptively positive samples from the Screening phase undergo additional hair extraction from the initial sample for use in Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging process.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Any samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair testing can reveal drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter timeline.
• Challenge to manipulate: Cheating a hair test is exceedingly difficult, ensuring result accuracy.
• Provides historical insight: It reveals drug use patterns over an extensive period, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become visible in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences in hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Roselle, IL, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine methods in several ways. One key advantage is its longer detection window, offering insights into substance use for up to 90 days. This contrasts with urine tests, which have a much shorter timeline for detecting drug usage, often limited to a few days.

Hair testing in Roselle, IL consistently delivers superior reliability over urine tests. Urine testing can be prone to tampering or dilution, whereas hair testing provides more secure, tamper-proof results. This makes hair tests a favored choice for employers seeking to uphold stringent substance use policies with unwavering accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Roselle, IL is a game-changer for drug screening. It captures drug use patterns over a span of 90 days, offering a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. This capability allows employers to make well-informed decisions based on long-term behavior rather than recent activity.

In Roselle, IL, this prolonged detection period enhances the effectiveness of testing, proving invaluable for employers seeking in-depth insight into an employee or applicant's past behavior. It serves as a vital tool for ensuring workplace safety and maintaining a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Roselle, IL, the reliability of hair follicle testing lies in its tamper-resistant nature. A primary advantage is its ability to significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, which is more prevalent in urine tests. Therefore, hair tests are favored for delivering results that are nearly impossible to manipulate.

This testing method offers unmatched integrity in sample collection and analysis in Roselle, IL. Due to the difficulty of altering hair samples, the results reflect genuine usage patterns, assuring employers of their authenticity and rendering them an essential component of drug screening protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Roselle, IL, convenience is key with Accredited Drug Testing's widespread network of testing centers. This nationwide reach means no matter where you are, a testing location is within close proximity, ensuring a swift and efficient testing experience without the hassle of long-distance travel.

Local access in Roselle, IL simplifies the testing procedure for both individuals and employers, providing easy entry to high-quality drug screening services. The accessibility and extensive network exemplify our commitment to offering swift, hassle-free testing solutions across all regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Roselle, IL benefits from a straightforward and confidential process for hair follicle testing. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is streamlined to ensure maximum ease, addressing any privacy-related concerns. This discrete process ensures confidentiality, providing peace of mind to all involved.

Simplicity is key in the testing procedures available in Roselle, IL. From the initial order to obtaining definitive results, every step is designed for user-friendliness, with privacy as a high priority. Such attention to ease and confidentiality reassures clients throughout the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Roselle, IL, Accredited Drug Testing provides competitively priced hair follicle testing with rapid turnaround times, making it an excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our cost-effective solutions do not compromise quality, ensuring every client access to premium testing without breaking the budget.

Affordable pricing integrates smoothly with swift result delivery in Roselle, IL, highlighting our dedication to offering prompt services. This ensures companies remain cost-efficient while benefiting from high standards of testing, ultimately securing peace of mind and financial balance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle testing in Roselle, IL is unmatched. It swiftly identifies substance use with high reliability, allowing timely results that businesses and individuals can trust. The meticulous analysis carried out ensures that each test delivers accurate feedback, solidifying its reputation as a dependable choice.

The expedited process of hair testing in Roselle, IL means results arrive faster than ever. Catered for efficiency, employers and clients benefit from quick results without sacrificing accuracy, making it an ideal solution for urgent testing needs, providing peace of mind to all involved in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Roselle, IL, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By choosing this method, businesses mitigate legal risks and foster a safer working environment. Its comprehensive detection capability covers extended periods, providing assurance in policy enforcement.

Implementing hair testing not only adheres to compliance requirements but also offers peace of mind for management. Knowing that thorough and reliable testing is in place, employers gain confidence in their efforts to maintain a drug-free environment, prioritizing workforce well-being.

Drug Testing Near Roselle, IL

Wood Dale, IL

Glendale Heights, IL

Hoffman Estates, IL

Hoffman, IL

Itasca, IL

Cloverdale, IL

Hanover Park, IL

Hanover, IL

Schaumburg, IL

Bloomingdale, IL

Keeneyville, IL

Medinah, 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