Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Jacksonville, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can indicate substance use over a period of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) situated nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, considered the best sample size for both screening and verification. For tests like EtG, additional panels, or evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is preferred. Scaling the specimen using a jeweler’s balance is advisable. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" denotes only scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four central steps inherent in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not provided through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening consists of a preliminary rapid check for illicit drug usage. Although Screening offers an economical solution to eliminate drug use in most cases, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to qualify for legal admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening suggests a sample may be positive, additional hair is extracted from the original batch for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lesser concentration than in alternate methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug testing is the most intricate method to perform.

Verification of a positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as per necessity. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can disclose drug consumption for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Challenging to manipulate: Altering results on a hair drug test is notably challenging, ensuring greater accuracy.
• Historical substance use data: It reveals a trail of substance usage over time, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally incur higher costs than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact the drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", analysis focuses on 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 South Jacksonville, IL

• Hair testing offers superior detection over traditional urine tests.
• The reliability and accuracy of hair analysis provide a broader assessment window.
• Employers opt for hair tests due to their robustness and effectiveness in long-term detection.

These advantages ensure hair follicle tests stand apart as the preferred choice for comprehensive substance scrutiny.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in South Jacksonville, IL

• Hair follicle tests can detect drug use up to 90 days, offering an extensive overview.
• This method provides employers with a detailed substance history of individuals.
• The longer window makes it an essential tool for thorough background checks.

Employers receive a well-rounded view of an individual’s potential drug use implications.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in South Jacksonville, IL

• Hair tests dramatically reduce the likelihood of sample adulteration.
• The integrity of the test is preserved, as it is nearly impossible to tamper with.
• This reliability offers unquestionable and trustable results.

Companies and institutions trust hair testing for its hardened defense against manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in South Jacksonville, IL

• Our nationwide centers offer easy access to testing services.
• Local centers in South Jacksonville guarantee a hassle-free experience.
• Quick and easy availability ensures timely results and reduced downtime.

This network offers individuals and employers convenient testing options across locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in South Jacksonville, IL

• The process of ordering and testing is efficient and straightforward.
• Results are handled with confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns.
• Our services promise ease of use and security of information.

This ensures comfort and confidentiality at every step of the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in South Jacksonville, IL

• Our pricing structure is competitive to offer great value.
• We ensure a quick turnaround time for test results.
• All companies, irrespective of size, find value and peace of mind in our services.

Our economic options ensure every business can afford quality testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in South Jacksonville, IL

• Hair follicle drug tests provide precision in detecting drug usage.
• The accuracy of these tests is unmatched, ensuring reliable results.
• With a quick turnaround time, employers and individuals get the answers they need promptly.

This method has swiftly become a cornerstone in substance use detection, valued for its efficiency in providing clear and unquestionable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in South Jacksonville, IL

• Hair follicle testing helps uphold drug-free workplace policies.
• Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and enhanced work safety.
• Peace of mind is assured with reliable compliance measures.

Such testing is pivotal in ensuring both safety and legal standing in the work environment.

Drug Testing Near South Jacksonville, IL

Virginia, IL

Waverly, IL

Bluffs, IL

Alsey, IL

Exeter, IL

Arenzville, IL

Winchester, IL

Manchester, IL

Chapin, IL

Literberry, IL

Murrayville, IL

Woodson, IL

Jacksonville, 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.

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