Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Springerton, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures indicators in its strands, offering a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use over roughly a 3-month duration. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands (akin to the circumference of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four major phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into a lab’s database. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial drug abuse assessment. While economically efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be legally admissible. Samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening need a confirmatory test.

If Screening results indicate presumptive positivity, additional hair is extracted from the sample for the Extraction phase. Drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than in methods like urine or oral fluid analysis, marking hair drug screening as one of the most intricate processes.

Confirmation of a positive Screening outcome is executed through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the laboratory procedure undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Merits of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use up to 90 days back, whereas urine assessments have a shorter scope.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It chronicles drug usage patterns over time, rather than just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments typically cost more than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors including hair color and individual hair growth differences can affect drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", these assessments examine the hair strand, not the underlying follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Springerton, IL

• Hair testing provides a broader detection timeline compared to urine tests.
• The method is non-invasive and less intrusive than urine collection.
• Hair testing offers a robust defense against fraudulent testing practices.
• Greater accuracy in identifying long-term drug use makes it a reliable choice for employers.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Springerton, IL

• Hair follicle testing shows drug use history for up to 90 days.
• Employers gain comprehensive insights into the long-term substance habits of potential hires.
• The testing method provides a broad spectrum view of an individual's past drug activities.
• It equips employers with essential data to ensure informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Springerton, IL

• Greatly minimizes the chances of sample adulteration or tampering.
• Ensures integrity with the unmodifiable nature of hair samples.
• Provides confidence to users as it circumvent the tactics commonly employed to manipulate result outcomes.
• Delivers trustworthy results, vital for legal or employment purposes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Springerton, IL

• Testing centers are easily accessible, both nationwide and locally.
• Eliminating hassle, providing quicker access to essential services.
• Flexibility in location options caters to varied clients' needs.
• Ensures efficient testing logistics for businesses and individuals.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Springerton, IL

• Ordering and receiving results is straightforward and confidential.
• Effortlessly navigate through the testing process while maintaining privacy.
• Secure methods ensure sensitive results are handled discreetly.
• Simplicity in procedure encourages more organizations to adopt hair testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Springerton, IL

• Competitive pricing structures provide excellent value.
• Quick turnaround allows for prompt results submission.
• Cost-effective solutions cater to businesses of all sizes.
• High quality at a reasonable price contributes to lasting customer satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Springerton, IL

• Hair follicle drug tests offer superior precision in substance detection.
• The quick and efficient process ensures timely reporting.
• Effectively detects various substances with high accuracy, providing trusted outcomes in brief periods.
• This cutting-edge testing method enhances accuracy, ensuring reliability and confidence in each step of testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Springerton, IL

• Hair testing supports strict drug-free workplace policies.
• Reduces legal exposure by ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Enhances workplace safety, mitigating drug-related incidents.
• Helps cultivate a secure work environment, fostering peace of mind among employers.

Drug Testing Near Springerton, IL

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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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