Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Silvis, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair follicle testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying substance and alcohol use. It offers an extended history by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to about 90 days for substances and alcohol. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to modify, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is preferred. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types, such as facial, axillary, etc.

Procedure Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test sample involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample in a lab's system, ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary review for substances. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be permissible in legal situations. Any samples that show potential positivity in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample shows potential positivity in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for the Extraction process. During Extraction, substances are drawn at a much lower intensity compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology to execute.

Any positive screening results undergo confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 specifications.

Benefits of hair drug tests:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace substance use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a much shorter timeframe.
• Hard to tamper: Tampering with a hair drug test is highly challenging, making the findings more trustworthy.
• Offers historical insights: It can demonstrate a consumption pattern over time, not just latest use.

Drawbacks:

• Incapability to detect immediate use: It requires roughly 5-7 days for substances to become discernible in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing options.
• Discrepancies in findings: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Silvis, IL

Hair follicle testing in Silvis, IL, outperforms traditional urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Its ability to uncover drug usage over an extended timeframe surpasses the limited detection capability of urine tests, making it an increasingly favored choice for many organizations seeking comprehensive insights into substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Silvis, IL

Hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection period, capturing drug use history for up to 90 days. This extensive window aids employers in Silvis, IL, by providing a detailed view of an individual’s substance use over time, offering critical insights for informed decision-making regarding employment or ongoing assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Silvis, IL

The robustness of hair follicle testing in Silvis, IL, significantly decreases the likelihood of sample adulteration. This testing method’s design inherently reduces tampering risks, ensuring that the results obtained are reliable and beyond question, thus supporting integrity in drug testing protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Silvis, IL

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience through its nationwide testing centers, including those in Silvis, IL. This extensive network affords clients easy access to testing services, streamlining the process and ensuring prompt and efficient service provision, regardless of location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Silvis, IL

The process of hair follicle testing in Silvis, IL, is straightforward and respects confidentiality. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is conducted with privacy in mind, addressing concerns about ease of use while ensuring participants’ personal information is protected.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Silvis, IL

Offering competitive pricing and rapid result turnaround, the hair follicle testing services in Silvis, IL, represent significant value. Businesses, regardless of size, are assured of cost-effectiveness and efficiency, thus enjoying exceptional service benefits without compromising financial resources.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Silvis, IL

Hair follicle drug testing in Silvis, IL, delivers swift and precise outcomes. This method guarantees high accuracy in detecting substance consumption, providing results quickly and reliably. The precision of this testing approach emphasizes its role in maintaining drug-free environments, underlining its importance in various settings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Silvis, IL

Employers in Silvis, IL, benefit from hair follicle testing as it supports compliance with workplace policies on drug use. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety, this testing method provides employers with peace of mind while maintaining a secure, drug-free work environment.

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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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