Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Summum, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations are now recognized as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substances such as alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a three-month timeframe to detect alcohol and other drugs. Hair is effortless to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample length of 1.5 inches with around 200 strands of hair (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests of more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial processing of a sample within a laboratory's system. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry that an electronic chain of custody system doesn’t provide.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug consumption for most samples, a positive screen calls for confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening necessitate an additional confirmation process.

When a sample is flagged as potentially positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods conduct the Confirmation of any positive screening outcome. All samples preliminarily considered positive undergo washing prior to confirmation, as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory sequence is assessed in agreement with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can indicate drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: It is exceptionally challenging to outwit a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It can reveal a pattern of substance use over a period, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis pertains to the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Summum, IL, hair follicle testing supersedes traditional urine testing through superior detection and reliability. Hair tests offer a longer detection window and capture a broader substance history.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing is less susceptible to tampering and provides a more comprehensive analysis of drug and alcohol consumption over time, enhancing its credibility.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Summum, IL, is its extended detection window. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can reveal drug use over a 90-day period.

This broader window offers employers better insight into a person's substance use habits, assisting them in making informed hiring or retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The risk of adulteration is significantly minimized with hair follicle tests in Summum, IL, ensuring that results remain trustworthy and valid.

This method offers employers and individuals confidence in the accuracy of results, knowing that the testing is less susceptible to tampering compared to more traditional methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide hair follicle testing centers, including local options in Summum, IL. Accessing testing services has never been easier.

Our extensive network ensures quick and hassle-free access to drug testing, making it simple for individuals and employers to meet their testing needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Summum, IL, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined for ease of use.

With privacy being a top concern, our testing process ensures confidentiality at every step, allowing clients to proceed with confidence.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Summum, IL offers great value for companies of all sizes.

Employers benefit from cost-effective drug testing options that do not compromise on quality, ensuring fast and dependable results at an affordable price.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Summum, IL are renowned for their precision and speed in delivering results. Compared to other methods, hair testings offer a high level of accuracy in detecting substance use, making them a top choice for reliable results.

The efficiency of hair follicle tests ensures that results are obtained swiftly without compromising accuracy, allowing individuals and employers to make informed decisions promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Summum, IL, hair follicle testing provides compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing potential legal issues while boosting workplace safety.

Using this method ensures employers meet industry standards for drug testing, offering peace of mind and a safer work 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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