Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Seymour, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing and verification. For evaluations like EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. Measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale is advised. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary phases in processing a drug test in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary stage where a sample is registered into the lab’s system. This step assures the sample's proper sealing and transport, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use for most cases, a positive screen must be confirmed to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Any samples marked as potentially positive in Screening must undergo secondary Confirmation.

If Screening results are potentially positive, further hair samples are taken from the initial collection and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g. urine or oral fluid). This is what makes hair drug testing a challenging process.

Positive Screening results are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive undergo washing before Confirmation as required. The entirety of the laboratory processes, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair recognition and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests feature a shorter detection range.
• Difficult to manipulate: Manipulating the results of a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Historical insight: It provides evidence of drug use patterns over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug assessments cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Variability in outcomes: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Seymour, IL, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine testing. Its superior detection accuracy and reliability make it the preferred choice. By conducting hair tests, employers enjoy enhanced detection capabilities, ensuring a more dependable assessment of substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Seymour, IL, offers an extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This broad timeframe provides employers a detailed perspective on an individual's substance use history, making it a valuable tool for evaluating both candidates and employees alike.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Opt for hair follicle tests in Seymour, IL, that greatly minimize the possibility of sample tampering. This method ensures that results are credible and defensible, offering peace of mind with its resistance to adulteration and manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Benefit from our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including in Seymour, IL. Locate a center nearby with ease, allowing for hassle-free access to testing services that are both quick and convenient. This widespread coverage enhances the accessibility of our testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a straightforward and confidential testing process in Seymour, IL. Order, take, and receive results effortlessly, with a focus on privacy and ease. This confidential approach addresses concerns, ensuring users experience a smooth and worry-free procedure from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Seymour, IL, our hair follicle testing is both cost-effective and efficient. Competitive pricing combined with swift turnaround times assures businesses of any scale great value. This affordability, coupled with rapid results, delivers peace of mind to all clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Discover swift and precise results with hair follicle testing in Seymour, IL. This method stands out for its accuracy and speed, ensuring that substance use is detected reliably. With hair testing, you gain a comprehensive insight into substance use history, bolstering confidence in the screening process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Seymour, IL, ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, fostering a safe and responsible environment. Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and improved workplace safety, making it a reliable choice for enforcing drug-free standards.

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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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