Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stoy, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within its fibers as the strand grows. When cut near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to gather, tough to tamper with, and easy to send.

A 1.5-inch snippet consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we mean only the scalp hair, while body hair refers to all other types (e.g. facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is logged into the lab's system. This stage ensures the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any pending data entry that isn’t covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening cost-efficiently excludes drug use for most samples, any positive result must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Presumptive positive samples from Screening mandate further confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positive outcomes in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned as needed before confirmation. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with accreditation compliance to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to evade: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, increasing result accuracy.
• Historical usage insight: Offers a usage pattern span over time, beyond just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variances: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Stoy, IL

Hair follicle drug testing provides several advantages over traditional urine tests, particularly in terms of detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are less prone to tampering and can detect a wider range of substances over an extended period. The higher reliability of hair tests means they deliver trustworthy results that can significantly benefit various industries requiring stringent drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Stoy, IL

The capability of hair follicle testing to identify drug usage over a long duration, up to 90 days, is a significant advantage. It allows employers a broader perspective of an applicant's or employee's substance history, offering peace of mind and detailed insight. This extended timeframe aids in maintaining a drug-free workplace by providing a comprehensive view of an individual's habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Stoy, IL

Hair follicle tests reduce the chances of sample tampering, a common issue with other testing methods. The integrity of the hair test ensures that the results are credible and irrefutable, safeguarding against sample adulteration. This reliability makes hair testing a dependable option for institutions looking for unequivocal proof of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Stoy, IL

With a widespread network of testing centers nationwide, individuals in Stoy, IL, can easily access testing services. This accessibility ensures that the process is quick and straightforward, minimizing any inconvenience. Our centers are strategically positioned for hassle-free service provision, enhancing the overall testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Stoy, IL

The process for hair follicle drug testing in Stoy, IL, is straightforward and ensures privacy. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving the results, the steps involved are designed to protect confidentiality and ease of use, addressing any apprehensions about privacy while maintaining a user-friendly procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Stoy, IL

Our competitive pricing coupled with quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing offers substantial value for businesses of all sizes. Organizations gain not only from affordable solutions but also from the confidence that comes with fast and dependable testing services, enhancing operational efficiency and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Stoy, IL

Hair follicle drug testing offers great precision and speed, making it a preferred choice for detecting substance use. The accuracy provided by these tests in identifying drug usage is unmatched, ensuring timely and reliable outcomes. With swift processing times, individuals and organizations can expect rapid feedback, aiding in quick decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Stoy, IL

Utilizing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace guidelines, mitigating legal consequences and enhancing the safety of work environments. Employers benefit from the reassurance that comes from implementing such rigorous testing methods, fostering a safer and more compliant workplace culture.

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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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