Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Trowbridge, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by preserving biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 90-day detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 strands (approximately a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and verification. For extended testing, such as EtG, add-ons, or panels over 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. If head hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test in a lab involves four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning constitutes the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for illicit drugs. Though Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage across many samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal legitimacy. Samples with a presumptive positive outcome necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample demonstrate a presumptive positive in the Screening segment, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. During this phase, hair collections undergo drug extraction at significantly lower concentrations than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug analysis the most complex method to implement.

Confirmation of any positive screening findings is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes washing before confirmation as applicable. The full procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation conforms to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenge to deceive: Hair drug tests are notably hard to falsify, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers usage trends: It reveals drug use patterns over a duration, not just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Clusters recent use limitation: Drugs become apparent in hair approximately after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests generally incur greater costs than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Hair attributes and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis scrutinizes the hair shaft, not the scalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Trowbridge, IL
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, the former offers enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing not only provides a more comprehensive drug use history but also reduces the chances of tampering, making it a superior choice for thorough screening.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Trowbridge, IL
Hair follicle testing's ability to reveal substance use over an extensive period (up to 90 days) gives employers a detailed view of an individual's drug history. This longer window of detection is invaluable for understanding an applicant or employee's past substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Trowbridge, IL
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring the results are trustworthy and indisputable. This method markedly reduces concerns about tampering, bolstering confidence in the reliability of the test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Trowbridge, IL
Our widespread network of testing centers guarantees swift and seamless access to services. With facilities available nationwide, including in Trowbridge, IL, getting tested is straightforward and hassle-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Trowbridge, IL
The process for organizing, taking, and collecting results is designed to be both straightforward and confidential. This approach ensures privacy and ease, addressing user concerns about comfort and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Trowbridge, IL
We offer competitive pricing and quick result processing, ensuring excellent value and assurance for businesses of every size. Our efficient service model provides both cost-effectiveness and timely results, catering to diverse testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Trowbridge, IL
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and rapid results. Their superior accuracy ensures that substance use is detected decisively, offering a high level of reliability. This makes them a preferred choice for quick and dependable screening outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Trowbridge, IL
Employers gain assurance through hair follicle testing, as it supports adherence to workplace drug policies, mitigates legal concerns, and promotes a safer working environment. This test method fosters peace of mind and regulatory compliance.

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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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