Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Chicago Heights, IL

What it is, How it works

The assessment of hair samples has emerged as a formidable method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair acts as a chronological record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered from near the scalp area, hair can offer a detection span of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch portion of close to 200 strands of hair (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be acquired, an equivalent volume of body hair can be taken. When addressing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab analysis of a drug test output include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s processing system. This step involves validating that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry that isn’t included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises a preliminary examination for commonly abused drugs. Although Screening is an economical way to dismiss drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples presumed to be positive in Screening certainly require additional confirmation.

If a sample appears presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and made ready for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug analysis is one of the hardest approaches to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to three months, compared to urine tests which have a briefer detection timeframe.
• Challenges in falsifying results: It is significantly challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the precision of the results.
• Historical pattern indication: It can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over a duration, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Drugs usually become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug residues in the hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing surpass urine tests in South Chicago Heights, IL? The answer lies in superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a far more comprehensive overview of an individual's substance usage history, making it an excellent choice for discerning employers.

Extended Detection Window

Most notably, hair follicle testing shines with its prolonged detection window, capturing drug use over 90 days. In South Chicago Heights, IL, employers find this feature indispensable for understanding comprehensive substance use histories of potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In South Chicago Heights, IL, hair follicle drug tests are notorious for their resistance to tampering. By minimizing the possibility of sample adulteration, these tests assure trustworthy and irrefutable results, boosting confidence in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

South Chicago Heights, IL residents benefit from the convenience of our national and local testing venues. With easy and hassle-free access to drug testing centers, the process becomes seamless and stress-free for individuals and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In South Chicago Heights, IL, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private. From ordering to results, it ensures confidentiality and ease, addressing any concerns about privacy or usability.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing structures in South Chicago Heights, IL, alongside quick result turnaround times, make hair follicle testing not only affordable but also a strategic investment for companies of all sizes seeking value and reassurance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In South Chicago Heights, IL, the precision of hair follicle tests is unparalleled. Offering rapid analysis, these tests stand out for their high accuracy in identifying substance use. For individuals and employers seeking dependable outcomes, hair testing provides unparalleled reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in South Chicago Heights, IL gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing. Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies, these tests reduce legal risks and foster a safer, more productive 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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