Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Saybrook, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drugs use by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a history of drug and alcohol use up to about a 3-month period. Hair is easy to obtain, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample with around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both initial testing and further verification. For tests involving EtG, additional elements, and/or panels beyond ten, a 150mg sample is advised. It is recommended to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an acceptable alternative. When mentioning head hair, we refer strictly to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is integrated into a lab's system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any supplementary data needed beyond the electronic chain of custody system.

During Screening, an initial assessment is performed to detect drugs. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, any positive result must be verified to be accepted in judicial proceedings. Samples that are positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), posing a challenge for hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive Screening results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminarily positive results are cleansed preceding confirmation if necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed in compliance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which have a more limited detection period.
• Challenge to falsify: Tampering with a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Chronological data: It provides insight into drug usage patterns over a duration, unlike only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: Drugs typically become detectable in hair about 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Saybrook, IL

In Saybrook, IL, hair follicle tests prove superior due to their advanced detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides a longer detection window and is resistant to adulteration attempts, making it a preferred choice for many organizations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Saybrook, IL

Employers in Saybrook, IL benefit from the extensive detection period of hair follicle tests, which can trace substance use up to 90 days. This enables a thorough assessment of an individual's drug history, aiding informed decision-making in employment processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Saybrook, IL

Hair follicle testing greatly minimizes the potential for sample tampering, offering credible results that withstand scrutiny. For employers in Saybrook, IL, this ensures that drug testing outcomes are dependable and free from manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Saybrook, IL

Our extensive national and local network of testing centers ensures that individuals and organizations in Saybrook, IL have quick and easy access to drug testing services, making the process seamless and hassle-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Saybrook, IL

The procedure for hair follicle testing in Saybrook, IL is straightforward and ensures privacy. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to be simple and maintain confidentiality, addressing concerns regarding privacy and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Saybrook, IL

Offering competitive pricing and quick result times, our services deliver excellent value for companies of all sizes in Saybrook, IL. This provides employers with efficient and cost-effective solutions for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Saybrook, IL

Hair follicle tests offer unmatched precision, highlighting their effectiveness in identifying substance use. Known for their high accuracy, these tests provide rapid results that ensure reliable data for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Saybrook, IL

By integrating hair follicle testing, Saybrook, IL employers secure compliance with drug-free policies, thus lowering legal risks and boosting workplace safety. This method provides a substantial layer of reassurance concerning employee drug use monitoring.

Drug Testing Near Saybrook, IL

Cropsey, IL

Cooksville, IL

Fisher, IL

Colfax, IL

Ellsworth, IL

Anchor, IL

Osman, IL

Gibson, IL

Gibson City, IL

Foosland, IL

Bellflower, IL

Arrowsmith, 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