Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Scales Mound, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is acknowledged as an effective method for pinpointing drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers within its fibers as it grows, thus offering a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and drug intake. When strands are taken near the scalp, they can reveal drug and alcohol presence for roughly 3 months. Hair collection is easy, compromises are not straightforward, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch hair sample of approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will equate to 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, a similar amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only the scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, like facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result has four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the process of incorporating a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any data missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial basic test for drugs of abuse. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result here must be validated for it to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample and made ready for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at a substantially lower concentration than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the toughest methodology to carry out.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are washed before confirmation as required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a more limited detection duration.
• Hard to manipulate: It's quite challenging to alter results on a hair drug test, improving accuracy.
• Chronological data: This method can show a timeline of drug usage rather than only recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: It takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug screening is typically costlier than other drug testing strategies.
• Outcome variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Even though often named "hair follicle tests", the analysis centers on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Scales Mound, IL, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing in several ways. Notably, it extends an impressive detection capability, surpassing urine's limited timeframe. Hair testing offers a comprehensive drug history, providing clarity for employers.

The increased accuracy and reliability of hair tests make them superior to traditional urine tests. This method minimizes errors, ensuring that employers receive validated and precise information regarding drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Scales Mound, IL, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, giving employers a broader view of substance use history. This capability far exceeds the short detection period of urine tests.

With a longer window, employers gain insight into applicants' or employees' past drug use, helping make informed decisions and maintaining a safer workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Scales Mound, IL, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. The rigorous process ensures full integrity and unquestionable results.

The advanced detection mechanism built into hair testing makes it an invaluable tool for employers. It provides undeniable proof of drug use, fostering trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With extensive nationwide and local testing locations, Scales Mound, IL, benefits from the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing. Quick and easy access simplifies the process for both employers and individuals.

The widespread network ensures minimal travel and hassle, making the experience of getting tested straightforward. Easily find a center and complete your drug testing with efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing provides a simple and confidential process in Scales Mound, IL. Ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is streamlined, and privacy is ensured at each step.

The user-friendly approach makes it easy to get tested without concern for data breaches. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your confidentiality is prioritized throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Scales Mound, IL, delivers value and assurance. Competitive rates make it accessible for organizations of all sizes.

Quick processing of tests ensures timely results, vital for decision-making. The cost-efficient services provide excellent value, aligning with diverse budgets while maintaining high standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Scales Mound, IL, offer unmatched precision and swiftness. With a high rate of accuracy in identifying drug use, these tests surpass the reliability of other methods. The meticulous nature of hair testing ensures dependable results.

Employers gain confidence in test outcomes due to the rigorous standards followed. The process isn't just fast, but also consistently provides clear and exact insights into an individual's substance intake.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and peace of mind for employers in Scales Mound, IL, are enhanced through hair follicle testing. It guarantees adherence to workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal liabilities.

This method ensures a safe and healthy work environment, decreasing workplace accidents and drug-related issues while promoting a sense of trust and security among employees.

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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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