Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tennessee, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair provides a comprehensive history of drug and alcohol intake by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can indicate up to about a three-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to obtain, not easily tampered with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample length of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) at the scalp is needed for the best results, giving 100mg of hair for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is recommended. Use a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing of the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, collect an equivalent amount of body hair. Note that head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is brought into the laboratory's system, ensuring it was properly secured and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data needed beyond an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drug substances. Though cost-effective in ruling out drug presence in most cases, any positive screens must be verified to be valid in legal situations. Any samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

Presumptive positive samples in the Screening phase undergo further preparation for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies.

For any positive screening results, Confirmation is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, receives review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests detect drug usage over a shorter time span.
• Hard to cheat: The results are more reliable as it's challenging to falsify a hair drug test.
• Shows past usage: It can demonstrate a timeline of drug consumption, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent ingestion: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing types.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the strand of hair, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Prevails over urine analysis in Tennessee, IL lies in its superior detection reliability. Hair tests offer comprehensive data, exposing drug use that traditional urine tests might miss.

Extended Accuracy is a major advantage of hair drug tests. The focus on precision ensures historical substance use data, surpassing the limitations of urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Expanded Detection Scope allows hair follicle testing in Tennessee, IL to reveal drug usage over an extensive time frame, up to three months, offering employers insights into extended substance usage histories.

Comprehensive Drug Profile benefits employers. The extended window of hair follicle testing illustrates a complete picture of an individual's drug habits, helping informed judgment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Resistant to Manipulation, hair follicle tests ensure high integrity in Tennessee, IL, as their design significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, providing irrefutable outcomes.

Enhancing Test Credibility is possible through hair testing. Its tamper-resistant nature guarantees accurate data, assuring stakeholders of its credibility over compromised alternatives.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Convenience with centers throughout Tennessee, IL, our hair testing facilities offer widespread accessibility, guaranteeing quick and straightforward testing experiences at numerous locations.

Seamless Access for all in Tennessee, IL ensures that our widespread locations simplify the testing process, providing residents with convenient and hassle-free options nearby.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ease and Privacy define the hair testing procedure in Tennessee, IL, with a straightforward process for arranging tests, taking them, and accessing results privately.

Simplified Testing Experience guarantees a seamless journey from start to finish, reassuring customers of confidentiality and easing any privacy concerns associated with testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Rates ensure Tennessee, IL benefits from hair drug testing's affordability without compromising on speed or accuracy, delivering valuable and timely outcomes for businesses.

Cost-effective Services confirm our commitment to high-speed turnaround and affordability, empowering companies in Tennessee, IL to trust in efficient and economical testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Precise Testing in Tennessee, IL guarantees accurate identification of drug use. Hair follicle drug tests excel in precision and speed, offering reliable and fast outcomes for employers ensuring workplace safety.

High Detection Accuracy makes hair tests incomparable. Unlike slower methods, hair tests swiftly verify substance use with exceptional accuracy levels, fostering confidence in their results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensure Workplace Compliance through hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free policies in Tennessee, IL. Employers enjoy reduced legal risks and enhanced workplace safety through reliable testing.

Reliable Accountability assists in maintaining company standards. Hair testing shores up enforcement of workplace policies, fostering a culture of accountability and peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Tennessee, IL

Littleton, IL

Carthage, IL

Bentley, IL

Bardolph, IL

Palmer, IL

Augusta, IL

La Harpe, IL

Industry, IL

Good Hope, IL

Sciota, IL

Blandinsville, IL

Plymouth, IL

Macomb, IL

Fandon, IL

Colchester, 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.

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