Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Taylor Springs, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands, hair offers an extended timeline of substance use. Hair collected near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol use up to around a three-month period. Its collection is straightforward, it is relatively resistant to tampering, and it is easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch piece consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the primary phase where a sample enters the lab’s system. This stage ensures the sample was sealed correctly, shipped safely, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. Though a cost-efficient measure to negate drug use for most samples, a positive Screening needs confirmation for court validity. Presumptive positive samples from the Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

For presumptive positive results in the Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lesser concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation for any positive Screening results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary presumptive positive specimens undergo washing prior to Confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair tests can reveal drug use extending up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage data: It offers a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent occurrences.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drug detection in hair generally takes about 5-7 days.
• Costs involved: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Taylor Springs, IL, is a superior alternative to traditional urine tests. With improved accuracy and reliability, these tests offer enhanced detection capabilities, making them advantageous for serious drug testing needs.

The benefits of hair testing include the inability to cheat tests and a more extended detection timeframe than urine tests. Employers in Taylor Springs can trust its superior accuracy over traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, lasting up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history in Taylor Springs, IL. This detection span far exceeds other testing methods.

In Taylor Springs, employers are provided with a broader perspective of substance use patterns in new hires or current employees due to the extended detection window, offering better-informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Taylor Springs, IL, is a tamper-resistant method that significantly minimizes the risk of adulteration. Its secure collection process ensures reliable results, reducing the possibility of sample tampering.

This testing method enhances the integrity of drug testing programs by delivering unquestionable results, thereby promoting transparency and trust in Taylor Springs workplaces.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering accessible testing locations nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience for Taylor Springs, IL, residents needing drug screening. Our centers are strategically located for quick, hassle-free access, making scheduling a breeze.

Our presence in Taylor Springs ensures locals benefit from swift, seamless services, demonstrating our commitment to customer convenience in drug testing accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Taylor Springs, IL, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and accessing results is a straightforward experience while ensuring privacy and confidentiality.

Concerns about privacy are addressed through our easy and discreet testing process, aimed at delivering results efficiently without compromising confidentiality in Taylor Springs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures, our hair follicle testing services in Taylor Springs, IL, deliver excellent value. Our fast turnaround times ensure companies receive results quickly, aiding in swift decision-making.

Accredited Drug Testing is committed to providing affordable solutions without sacrificing quality, offering economical benefits and prompt outcomes for businesses of varying sizes in Taylor Springs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Taylor Springs, IL, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests make them an attractive choice for detecting substance use. Hair follicle tests offer a high degree of accuracy, ensuring reliable results without delays. This reliability and rapid turnaround help keep employers informed promptly and accurately.

The superior accuracy of hair follicle drug testing resides in its ability to detect substance use reliably. Its precision ensures Taylor Springs employers receive trustworthy results, facilitating informed decision-making processes quickly and effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Taylor Springs, IL, helps employers maintain compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing solution mitigates legal risks while enhancing safety and confidence among staff members.

Employers maintain peace of mind knowing that hair follicle tests support a drug-free environment and uphold policy standards, promoting a safe workplace atmosphere.

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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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