Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Saint Augustine, IL

What it is, How it works

Seen as a formidable resource, hair testing aids in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. If collected from near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Its collection is straightforward, resistance to tampering is moderate, and it’s simple to ship.

By obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil width) nearest to the scalp, you acquire 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for testing and confirmation. To conduct tests like EtG, add-ons, or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. Note that when stating head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair signifies all other types of hair (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the primary procedures needed to incorporate a sample into a lab’s framework. This covers validating that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient mode to exclude drug usage in most samples, a screen flagged as positive must be confirmed to qualify for court use. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate an additional confirmation step.

In cases where a sample is tentatively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the specimen and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are separated from hair at significantly diminished concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening stands as the most challenging method to execute.

Confirming any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positives undergo washing when required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for as much as 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a more limited detection period.
• Tough to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is notably hard, lending to more precise findings.
• Historical insight: It documents drug use patterns over a timeline, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: There’s a lag of about 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result discrepancies: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite levels within the hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Saint Augustine, IL, sees a growing preference for hair follicle drug testing over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection and reliability. Hair tests offer a much longer detection window compared to urine tests, and their ability to reveal an individual's drug use history over several months is unmatched.

• Urine tests are unable to detect long-term substance abuse patterns.
• Hair tests provide a more comprehensive view of a candidate's drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Saint Augustine, IL, provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This capability gives employers a more comprehensive view of an applicant or employee’s substance history. By covering a broader time frame, hair testing helps organizations make more informed hiring and management decisions.

• Employers can assess the substance use history beyond the immediate past.
• The 90-day window is advantageous for maintaining a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the key advantages of hair follicle tests in Saint Augustine, IL, is their tamper-resistant nature. The construction of hair samples makes it nearly impossible to adulterate or substitute, thus ensuring the integrity and reliability of the results.

• Hair samples are not easily contaminated or altered.
• The collection process adds an additional layer of security to prevent tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to its services with nationwide testing centers, including local options in Saint Augustine, IL. This widespread availability ensures that clients can access hair follicle testing without unnecessary travel or inconvenience.

• Local testing facilities reduce the time and effort required for testing.
• Nationwide network ensures consistent and quality service across locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Saint Augustine, IL, our hair follicle testing process is remarkably simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, we ensure privacy and ease for our clients, making the experience stress-free from start to finish.

• Orders can be quickly placed and processed with minimal hassle.
• Confidentiality is maintained throughout the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With our hair follicle testing services in Saint Augustine, IL, we offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value across organizations of all sizes. Our competitive rates ensure that companies can maintain their drug-free policies without overspending.

• Cost-effective drug testing options benefit organizations of all budgets.
• Quick turnaround times allow for quick decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Saint Augustine, IL, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. These tests deliver results with outstanding accuracy, providing a reliable measure of substance use over time. This efficiency ensures that individuals and organizations receive quick feedback, aiding in timely and informed decision-making.

• The tests' high sensitivity allows for the detection of a wide range of substances.
• Results are typically faster than other types of drug testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle tests in Saint Augustine, IL, offers peace of mind to employers by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, these tests help maintain a secure and productive work environment.

• Employers can better enforce zero-tolerance policies.
• The company is protected against potential liabilities from drug-related incidents.

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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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