Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Saint Jacob, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. By encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows, hair offers an extended timeline of drug and alcohol use. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and other substances over a period extending up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil), located closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest employing a jeweler's scale to determine the specimen’s weight. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent measure of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The four key stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial introduction of a sample into a lab's system. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary check for substance abuse. Although it is an economical way to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation to be permissible in legal proceedings. Any samples that show positive indications during Screening require further confirmation.

In instances where Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Difficult to deceive: The accuracy of hair drug tests is enhanced by the difficulty in falsifying results.
• Records historical usage: It charts a pattern of drug consumption over a timeframe, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Saint Jacob, IL, shows significant advantages over traditional urine exams. First, hair tests excel in detection accuracy, providing a detailed insight into an individual's drug use history. Unlike urine tests, which can be influenced by recent consumption, hair tests offer a longer detection window. This makes hair testing superior for employers and authorities needing reliable substance use data.

Extended Detection Window

In Saint Jacob, IL, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period of up to 90 days, giving employers a detailed view of an individual's drug history. This comprehensive review is unlike shorter-term tests, showing substance use much further back. By collecting hair samples, employers gain an invaluable resource for assessing long-term drug habits, helping make informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Saint Jacob, IL, serves as a tamper-resistant method, reducing the risk of sample adulteration. The nature of hair analysis makes it challenging to fake or alter results. This reliability ensures the integrity of the test outcomes, providing confidence to employers and authorities relying on these tests to enforce drug-free environments. With hair testing, the results are virtually incontestable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience with nationwide and local testing locations in Saint Jacob, IL. Clients benefit from quick, hassle-free access to our comprehensive testing services. Whether in major cities or local settings, our widespread network ensures that getting tested is straightforward, saving time and effort for individuals and organizations alike, ensuring the process is as seamless as possible.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Saint Jacob, IL, we ensure a simple and confidential hair follicle testing process, from ordering to receiving results. Privacy concerns are addressed through secure procedures that protect client information. The ease of use is further enhanced by straightforward instructions and support, making the process manageable and discreet for all involved parties, maintaining confidentiality from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable rates and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Saint Jacob, IL, offers excellent value to businesses of any size. Our pricing structures are competitive, ensuring that everyday budget requirements are met. Coupled with rapid result delivery, clients benefit from both cost-effectiveness and peace of mind, knowing they're receiving reliable services at a fraction of expected costs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Saint Jacob, IL, hair follicle testing offers unmatched precision and speed in detecting substance use. These tests provide highly accurate results, allowing companies and courts to trust the outcomes. Their efficiency in identifying drugs makes them a reliable tool for ensuring safety and compliance in various settings. Coupled with rapid processing times, hair tests stand out for delivering quick yet accurate results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For businesses in Saint Jacob, IL, using hair follicle drug tests ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities. This reliable testing method provides peace of mind for employers aiming to maintain safe environments. Compliance with rigorous standards protects both the company and employees, promoting a secure and law-abiding workplace through trustworthy detection methods.

Drug Testing Near Saint Jacob, IL

Pierron, IL

Edwardsville, IL

Saint Rose, IL

Glen Carbon, IL

O'Fallon, IL

Aviston, IL

Woodland, IL

Maryville, IL

Grantfork, IL

Trenton, IL

Summerfield, IL

Lebanon, IL

Troy, IL

Marine, IL

St. Jacob, 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