Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Saint Libory, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a valuable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs by retaining biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to three months for alcohol and drug use. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to use 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for a drug test result consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial introduction of a sample into a laboratory system, which ensures that the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although it is an economical method to negate drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is achieved through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests are capable of detecting drug use for up to 90 days, which is longer than the window for urine tests.
• Difficulty to cheat: Hair drug tests are difficult to deceive, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Provides historical data: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: There is a delay of approximately 5-7 days before drugs are traceable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are generally pricier compared to other test methods.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and variations in individual hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," this test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle tests over urine tests in Saint Libory, IL, can lead to better detection capabilities and robust reliability. Hair testing offers a superior advantage with its extended detection window, catching substance use from as far back as three months. This long-term insight is unmatched by the shorter detection span of traditional urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing's advantage in Saint Libory, IL, lies in its ability to trace substance usage up to 90 days prior. This extended detection window provides a broader perspective on an individual's habits, delivering employers and other stakeholders a clearer understanding of a person's substance history when making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Offering enhanced security, hair follicle tests in Saint Libory, IL, mitigate the risk of sample adulteration, thus assuring integrity. These tests provide undeniable results as they are less susceptible to manipulation compared to other methods, making it easier for organizations to depend on their authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing facilitates testing with ease in Saint Libory, IL, through its expansive network of nationwide centers. This convenience allows quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services, making the entire process seamless for individuals and organizations alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Saint Libory, IL, is crafted to be straightforward and confidential. Addressing privacy concerns, individuals have easy access to order tests, complete the procedure, and receive results discreetly, ensuring the user experience remains smooth and user-friendly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Saint Libory, IL, offers competitive pricing and swift result delivery. This cost-effective approach ensures that companies, regardless of size, receive excellent service and turnaround times, adding value and reliability to a company's drug testing program.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Saint Libory, IL, hair follicle testing emerges as an efficient method for detecting substance use with speed and precision. The process is structured to ensure the high accuracy of test results. By focusing on the meticulous nature of these tests, Accredited Drug Testing proves to be a reliable ally in maintaining stringent evaluation standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Saint Libory, IL, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace guidelines. This method enhances workplace safety by reducing potential legal risks, thus supporting a culture of compliance and safeguarding the organization from drug-related infractions.

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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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