Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Walnut, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of up to about three months for alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (like facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody procedure.

Screening consists of an initial rapid examination for substance abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to hold up in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Any positive Screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All positive samples receive a wash before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with shorter detection durations.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It offers a drug use pattern over an extended period, instead of just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences can impact the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Walnut, IL's choice for reliable detection favors hair follicle testing over urine tests. Hair tests boast superior accuracy and consistency, uncovering drug use undetectable with standard urine tests over extended durations.

The benefits of hair tests in drug detection are clear. Unlike urine tests capturing recent use, hair testing reveals months-long drug history. Employers receive consistent and definitive results, reflecting true long-term substance use.

Extended Detection Window

In Walnut, IL, hair follicle testing offers an edge with its extended detection capability. Able to provide a drug history spanning up to 90 days, it's invaluable for employers seeking to understand ongoing substance habits.

This prolonged detection window enables a clearer view of substance use patterns. It supports informed hiring decisions by revealing more about a candidate's or employee's true drug habits, ensuring workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Walnut, IL, stand as a tamper-resistant solution to drug screening. With its direct collection process, the chances of adulterating samples are minimal, guaranteeing trustworthy results.

The method's resilience against tampering provides assurance. Traditional tests face contamination risks; hair follicle testing offers reliable, unchanged results, preserving the test's integrity throughout.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For residents of Walnut, IL, convenient testing is at your fingertips. Accredited Drug Testing provides nationwide centers, simplifying access to necessary services smoothly and quickly.

Our widespread locations ensure that an efficient and hassle-free testing experience is readily available. Whether local or national, our centers are situated to serve the needs of all individuals efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of testing in Walnut, IL is straightforward, ensuring confidentiality every step of the way. From ordering to receiving results, individuals can expect private, user-friendly service.

Our simple procedure provides peace of mind. Anxiety over privacy is unnecessary; our testing maintains discretion, offering a seamless journey with secure handling of personal information throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Walnut, IL testing services boast affordable pricing, coupled with rapid results turnaround. We pride ourselves on competitive rates and swift service, providing economic value to businesses.

Our cost-effective approach is paired with unmatched turnaround speed, making hair follicle testing a go-to choice. Firms of all sizes benefit, receiving quality testing without breaking the budget or suffering delays.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Walnut, IL, hair follicle drug testing is celebrated for its quick and precise results. Its accurate detection of substances is unmatched, making it the preferred choice for many. Tests can identify a variety of drug use with high reliability, ensuring comprehensive substance screening.

Hair follicle testing provides rapid outcomes. Within days, accurate results are delivered maintaining high integrity. Its swift process enables prompt decision-making, saving valuable time in both employment and legal proceedings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Walnut, IL, ensures peace of mind for employers by maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal exposure and promotes a safe, responsible work environment.

Employers gain confidence through rigorous testing standards. Utilizing this method aligns with regulatory needs, lowering risk and enhancing employee health standards, fostering a secure workplace culture.

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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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