Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Round Lake Beach, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a record of alcohol and drug use over time by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal evidence of alcohol and drug use for up to a 3-month duration. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 strands of hair (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. Should scalp hair be insufficient, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. 'Head hair' refers exclusively to scalp hair. In contrast, 'body hair' includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Overview of the Process

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial integration of a specimen into a lab's system. This phase ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, efficient method for detecting drugs of abuse. While Screening effectively dismisses drug use in most cases, samples yielding a positive screening result require confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening demand additional verification.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations than other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most intricate methodology to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. As necessary, presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests uncover drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a more limited detection duration.
• Challenging to falsify: Tampering with a hair drug test is exceedingly hard, enhancing result accuracy.
• Delivers historical information: It illustrates drug use patterns over time rather than only recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs become noticeable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors including hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure evaluates the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In contrast to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Round Lake Beach, IL, offers superior accuracy and reliability. Hair tests capture drug use over a longer period, providing a comprehensive review of an individual's history. This extended window offers clarity and reduces the chances of false negatives, which are more prevalent in urine testing.

Comparative advantages like longer detection periods are the hallmark of hair tests. Unlike urine tests which cover recent use, hair tests present a fuller picture, making them a preferred choice for employers and legal entities.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Round Lake Beach, IL, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing. Unlike other methods, hair tests track substance use for up to 90 days, offering a thorough overview of an individual's habits. This comprehensive insight is invaluable for making informed decisions.

The ability to detect drug use over such a long span sets hair tests apart. This feature allows employers to see beyond immediate consumption, assessing usage patterns that affect workplace safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

With the potential risk of sample tampering minimized, hair follicle testing in Round Lake Beach, IL, promises reliable results. Unlike other methods susceptible to adulteration, hair tests stand out for their rigorous procedures, ensuring that the outcomes are genuine and trustworthy.

Hair tests' inherent resistance to tampering makes them ideal for environments demanding accuracy and fairness. This testing method provides peace of mind, assuring stakeholders of the authenticity of the results gathered.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Boasting convenient nationwide locations, including in Round Lake Beach, IL, our testing centers provide hassle-free access to services. This wide network simplifies the process, ensuring individuals can undergo hair follicle testing with minimal effort.

Whether local or across the country, our centers are strategically positioned to provide quick and easy services. This accessibility is designed to meet the demands of busy employers and individuals, making testing straightforward and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Round Lake Beach, IL, ensures a simple and confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, the procedures are streamlined to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. This commitment to confidentiality garners trust among users.

The process involves clear steps—from test administration to result acquisition—designed to be user-friendly. This approach guarantees that individuals and organizations can manage their testing needs without undue complexity or concern.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Round Lake Beach, IL, feature affordable pricing paired with fast turnaround times. This combination provides excellent value for businesses of any size, ensuring that cost does not compromise quality or efficiency.

Competitive rates and prompt results keep our offering attractive and viable for all clients. The dedication to providing a superior service at a reasonable cost makes hair follicle testing an economical choice for discerning employers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Round Lake Beach, IL, are synonymous with speed and exceptional accuracy. These tests precisely identify substance use, proving their efficacy over alternative methods. The streamlined process ensures rapid results, providing quick insights for decision-making.

Offering a seamless experience, hair follicle testing delivers reliable findings fast, maintaining high standards of precision. This ensures that whether for personal or professional needs, users can trust the information provided by the test.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Round Lake Beach, IL, employers, hair follicle testing offers compliance with drug-free workplace protocols, reducing legal liabilities. This method enhances safety, ensuring that companies can maintain a trustworthy environment for all employees.

Adopting hair testing reinforces peace of mind within organizations. By aligning with company policies, it helps manage risks and supports a culture of responsibility and well-being.

Drug Testing Near Round Lake Beach, IL

Lindenhurst, IL

Third Lake, IL

Grayslake, IL

Fox Lake Hills, IL

Lake Villa, IL

Venetian Village, IL

Hainesville, IL

Long Lake, IL

Round Lake Park, IL

Round Lake Heights, IL

Round Lake, 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