Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Summerfield, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair assessment has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged historical record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to collect hair samples, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimum amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This entails confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of misuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a screen yielding positive results must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. At this juncture, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug assessments can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine assessments offer a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to evade: It's exceptionally challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Diverse results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair development can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Summerfield, IL, hair follicle testing provides significant advantages over urine testing. Detection accuracy is notably superior, as hair tests have a longer window of detection. They also establish a more reliable method by being difficult to adulterate. By comparison, urine tests may miss detection after a short period, while hair tests cover up to 90 days of drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Summerfield, IL highlights its extended detection window. Employers benefit from its ability to trace substance use up to 90 days prior, offering a broader and more comprehensive picture of an individual's history. This longer detection period aids in making more informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Summerfield, IL's hair follicle drug tests deliver a tamper-resistant solution. By reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests ensure that results are both reliable and unquestionable. This level of integrity enables employers and legal entities to have full confidence in the outcomes of their drug-testing programs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience defines the drug testing experience in Summerfield, IL. With nationwide testing locations, including locally, accessing services is quick and hassle-free. This vast network ensures that all testing needs are met promptly and efficiently, no matter where you are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Summerfield, IL, the drug testing process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering and taking tests is straightforward, with results delivered privately. Addressing concerns about privacy, this seamless process ensures ease and security for all individuals involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround characterize drug testing services in Summerfield, IL. Offering excellent value, our pricing structures cater to companies of all sizes, ensuring affordability. Quick results provide companies with the peace of mind needed for making timely decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and quick results of hair follicle drug testing in Summerfield, IL stand out. As a reliable method for detecting substance use, this testing procedure is known for its high accuracy. Results obtained from hair samples provide a clear view of drug use, ensuring confidence in the outcomes for all parties involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Summerfield, IL helps employers achieve peace of mind. Compliance with drug-free workplace policies reduces legal risks, promoting safety. The method supports employers' zero-tolerance standards, reinforcing a safe and productive work environment.

Drug Testing Near Summerfield, IL

Germantown, IL

Troy, IL

Rentchler, IL

Damiansville, IL

O'Fallon, IL

St. Jacob, IL

Albers, IL

Saint Jacob, IL

Shiloh, IL

Aviston, IL

Mascoutah, IL

Scott AFB, IL

New Baden, IL

Trenton, IL

Lebanon, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews