Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Union, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When collected near the scalp, it can provide a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and various drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to mail.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG assessments, additional requests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. In cases where scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (face, underarms, etc.).

Process Overview

Processing a drug test outcome in a lab involves four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s network. This includes ensuring the sample's seal and shipment integrity, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is economical for excluding drug use in the bulk of samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal acceptability. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before Confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring higher result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It provides a usage pattern over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs require roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
Within Union, IL, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests through better detection and reliability. The methodology ensures a broader detection timeline while thwarting evasion attempts, offering dependable outcomes.

Employers and professionals are increasingly opting for this superior technique, as it captures drug history more effectively. By covering a longer period, it helps identify consistent use patterns, strengthening drug-use policies with assured accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
In Union, IL, hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection span, capturing drug usage over a 90-day period. This comprehensive view aids employers in evaluating a candidate's or employee's substance history accurately.

This elongated window is invaluable for those seeking in-depth insights into potential long-term usage. It strengthens workplace policies by providing a reliable overview, bolstering safety and compliance effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle tests employed in Union, IL, significantly mitigate sample manipulation risks. With their robust design, these tests ensure authentic results, thereby solidifying their credibility.

The integrity of this method reduces doubts around outcomes, offering stakeholders peace of mind. By thwarting attempts at alteration, it maintains unassailable validity, proving essential for accurate assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
In Union, IL, our extensive network of testing facilities ensures straightforward, hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing. Our widespread presence makes the process quick and efficient for all users.

The practicality of readily accessible centers guarantees easy scheduling and reduces waiting times. This vast availability underscores our commitment to delivering comprehensive testing services wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Union, IL, our hair follicle testing process is designed for ease and confidentiality. From ordering to results, each step prioritizes privacy, addressing any concerns regarding personal data.

This streamlined approach ensures minimal hassle, enabling users to undertake the necessary steps with confidence. By maintaining discretion, we uphold the trust of individuals seeking both efficiency and confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Competitive pricing and swift response times characterize our hair testing services in Union, IL. We provide excellent value, meeting diverse company needs with efficiency.

The rapid processing ensures timely results, while cost-effective strategies bolster fiscal management. By balancing affordability with efficiency, our services remain a prudent choice for informed substance use evaluation.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Union, IL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision in uncovering substance use. With swift processing times, they offer dependable results that ensure both accuracy and prompt feedback, guiding informed decisions.

Leveraging advanced technology, these tests deliver high levels of accuracy, reducing the margin for error. Employers and individuals alike can rely on their quick turnaround, making them indispensable tools for any substance screening needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Leveraging hair follicle tests in Union, IL, assures compliance with drug-free workplace standards. It minimizes legal exposures while enhancing safety, thus aligning with employer policies seamlessly.

By integrating rigorous testing, companies reinforce their commitment to a secure environment. This strategic approach not only satisfies legal stipulations but also strengthens workforce reliability and trustworthiness.

Drug Testing Near Union, IL

Genoa, IL

Lake in the Hills, IL

McHenry, IL

Brooklyn, IL

Crystal Lake, IL

Bull Valley, IL

Hampshire, IL

Garden Prairie, IL

Lakewood, IL

Ridgefield, IL

Hartland, IL

Huntley, IL

Grafton, IL

Woodstock, IL

Marengo, 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