Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rosemont, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis stands as a robust method for identifying the use of alcohol and drugs. It tracks the long-term history of substances by capturing biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. Obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use up to a roughly three-month period. Collection of hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for assessing and verification. For EtG, additions, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Measuring the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning includes the primary integration of a sample into the lab's framework. It ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any extra data entry needed outside an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening provides an affordable way to discard drug usage in most samples, a positive indication must be confirmed to be valid in legal contexts. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening must undergo secondary verification.

If Screening identifies a sample as presumptively positive, additional strands are extracted from the initial sample and set for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at notably lower concentrations than other techniques (examples include urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positivity undergo a cleansing process before verification if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing captures drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeline.
• Challenging to manipulate: Manipulating results in hair drug tests is challenging, enhancing the accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It outlines a timeline of drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detection: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the evaluation targets the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Rosemont, IL, hair follicle testing outstrips traditional urine tests with its superior detection capabilities. These tests provide more accurate results, capturing a broader picture of drug use. Unlike urine tests that might overlook long-term consumption, hair tests reveal usage patterns with unmatched reliability.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Rosemont, IL, is its extended detection window. Whereas urine tests might only reveal drug use over recent days, hair tests can expose a history of substance use up to 90 days prior. This broader time frame offers employers a thorough overview of potential candidates' or employees' drug histories.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method employed in Rosemont, IL, significantly mitigates the risk of sample tampering. By utilizing hair samples, the process ensures integrity and yields results that are considered highly reliable and trustworthy, free from potential manipulation seen in other types of drug testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Rosemont, IL, the convenience of nationwide and local testing centers ensures seamless access to drug testing services. This means quick, easy, and hassle-free testing options are always within reach, eliminating the inconvenience of distance and travel for individuals and employers needing drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for drug testing in Rosemont, IL, is straightforward and confidential, addressing any concerns about privacy with ease. From ordering to taking and receiving results, the straightforward procedure ensures that privacy is maintained, while also simplifying the user experience to minimize any anxiety.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Rosemont, IL, benefits from competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in hair follicle testing, ensuring affordability and quick results for all business sizes. The balance of cost-effectiveness with rapid processing offers significant value, making these tests a preferred choice for financially-savvy organizations seeking reliable outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled in Rosemont, IL. These tests ensure high accuracy in detecting substance use, making them a reliable choice for various testing requirements. The rapid processing of results offers expediency, allowing decisions to be made swiftly regarding substance use intervention or employment eligibility.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Rosemont, IL, provides employers with peace of mind, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and promoting a safe working environment, companies can confidently rely on these methods to uphold their standards without worry of legal implications or compromised safety.

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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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