Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Symerton, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair tests offer around a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for evaluation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Scalp hair refers solely to head hair, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four core phases in processing a drug test in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning reviews and processes a sample into the lab system. It involves checking if the sample was adequately sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic custody system.

Screening serves as an initial swift assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is an affordable strategy to negate drug use in most samples, a positive result in screening needs validation to hold up in court. All samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening mandate a subsequent confirmation.

If there's a presumptive positive in Screening, extra hair from the primary specimen is readied for Extraction. Drugs are then isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Any positive screening outcomes are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which display a shorter detection window.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is very difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Records historical data: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other testing approaches.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the test actually assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair and urine tests in Symerton, IL, hair follicle testing is superior in many aspects. Hair testing boasts a longer detection timeline, covering up to 90 days, which gives a clearer picture of long-term substance use unlike traditional urine tests that cover a shorter span.

Extended Detection Window

Symerton, IL employers benefit from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. This test can trace drug use up to 90 days prior, offering comprehensive insights into an employee's substance use history and allowing informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Symerton, IL are largely tamper-resistant, significantly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This method ensures that results are consistent and reliable, making it nearly impossible to manipulate the outcome of the test.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations across Symerton, IL and nationwide, simplifying access to drug testing services. Our widespread centers ensure you receive quick and hassle-free service regardless of your locality.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Symerton, IL is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results is efficiently managed, placing priority on the user's privacy and the ease of the overall process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and quick results turnaround, hair follicle testing in Symerton, IL represents great value. We offer competitive price structures, ensuring that companies of various sizes can access reliable testing without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Symerton, IL, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with speed and precision. Detection of substance use is executed with high accuracy, offering reliable results that employers and individuals can trust. The swiftness of the process ensures results are delivered rapidly without compromising on the accuracy of the analysis.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Symerton, IL appreciate hair follicle testing for ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only guarantees safety but also reduces legal liabilities, granting peace of mind and maintaining a secure working environment.

Drug Testing Near Symerton, IL

Carbon Hill, IL

Manteno, IL

Rockdale, IL

Bonfield, IL

Essex, IL

Godley, IL

Channahon, IL

Preston Heights, IL

Diamond, IL

Braidwood, IL

Manhattan, IL

Elwood, IL

Lakewood Shores, IL

Wilton Center, IL

Wilmington, 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