Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sheridan, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now understood as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair affords roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (roughly resembling a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the ideal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional assessments, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When referring to head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The drug test laboratory process comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes incorporating the sample into the laboratory system, ensuring correct sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any extra data required beyond what the electronic chain of custody system provides.

Screening is an initial quick check for substances. While cost-effective for eliminating drug usage in most samples, positive screens need confirmation for court admissibility. Samples presumptively positive in Screening demand further confirmation.

If presumed positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screen is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair subcommittee and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which detect for a shorter time.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are difficult to cheat, thus increasing result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: They show a usage pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Even though sometimes called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Trumps Urine Testing in Sheridan, IL
In contrasting hair tests with urine tests, hair analysis offers superior accuracy and dependability. While urine tests primarily detect recent drug use, hair follicle testing unveils drug use patterns extending back 90 days, providing deeper insights for employers and authorities.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Sheridan, IL
The capacity to trace drug use over a prolonged period distinguishes hair testing. With a 90-day detection window, it offers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, aiding employers in making informed decisions and ensuring ongoing compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sheridan, IL
Hair follicle tests are notably resistant to tampering, minimizing sample adulteration risks and guaranteeing authentic results. This method surpasses traditional testing by making it almost impossible to alter the test outcome, thereby reinforcing trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations Across Sheridan, IL
Our nationwide presence in testing facilities ensures effortless access to testing services. Swift and hassle-free, our centers provide convenience, allowing quick appointments and efficient service completion locally and nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Sheridan, IL
Our testing procedure is straightforward and private, ensuring ease and confidentiality for participants. From ordering tests to receiving results, every step respects privacy concerns, affording users a stress-free experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sheridan, IL
Offering competitive pricing and rapid results, our services deliver incredible value to businesses, regardless of size. These benefits enhance the attractiveness of hair testing as the optimal choice for comprehensive substance testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results in Sheridan, IL
Hair follicle testing delivers rapid, accurate, and reliable data, ensuring precise detection of substance use. These tests are preferred for their exceptional accuracy, providing results that instill confidence in the assessment of drug use history and current habits.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sheridan, IL
Employers gain assurance and compliance with drug-free workplace standards through hair follicle testing. By reducing legal liabilities and enhancing workplace safety, this method offers peace of mind, aligning safety practices with organizational values.

Drug Testing Near Sheridan, IL

Plano, IL

Lisbon, IL

Sandwich, IL

Wedron, IL

Millbrook, IL

Baker, IL

Somonauk, IL

Lake Holiday, IL

Newark, IL

Millington, 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