Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Watson, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands provide a comprehensive record of substance usage over time by capturing biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. When collected close to the scalp, a hair sample can offer approximately a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. The term "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial processing phase, incorporating the sample into a laboratory's system. It involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid check for drug abuse. Although cost-effective for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in a legal context. For all samples that are presumptively positive during Screening, a second confirmation is necessary.

In the event of a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to perform.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that are presumptively positive are washed before confirmation if required. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use up to 90 days, contrasting with shorter detection periods of urine tests.
• Challenging to bypass: Hair drug testing is highly resistant to tampering, ensuring more reliable results.
• Provides historical insight: It can reveal drug usage patterns over time rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis itself is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Watson, IL
Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. Its ability to detect substances more accurately makes it the go-to choice for employers needing reliable results. Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides a longer detection window and reduces the possibility of sample tampering, presenting a superior alternative for drug screenings.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Watson, IL
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, capable of tracing drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive period allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history, offering valuable insights unlike more traditional testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Watson, IL
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering. The collection process is closely monitored, ensuring authenticity and accuracy in the results. This level of security makes it challenging to alter or contaminate the sample, thus providing reliable and unchallengeable outcomes for drug detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Watson, IL
Accredited Drug Testing offers a vast network of testing centers nationwide, providing flexibility and convenience in accessing drug testing services. The availability of these centers ensures that individuals and employers in Watson, IL can swiftly and effortlessly obtain necessary testing, promote a seamless experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Watson, IL
The process of ordering and conducting a hair follicle drug test is both straightforward and confidential. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes privacy, making sure that all client information is secure and accessible only to authorized individuals. The ease of use and confidentiality address common concerns, making the testing process stress-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Watson, IL
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times to cater to businesses of all sizes. Their commitment to delivering excellent value ensures that companies can confidently depend on timely and affordable drug testing services without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Watson, IL
The hair follicle drug test offers unmatched precision and quick results, making it a reliable option for substance use detection. These tests are favored for their ability to accurately identify drug use, ensuring that employers receive dependable information to maintain safety standards. The swift and trustworthy outcomes set hair follicle testing apart in the realm of drug detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Watson, IL
Utilizing hair follicle testing can aid employers in complying with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks. With this dependable testing method, companies can enhance workplace safety and maintain the trust of both employees and stakeholders, ensuring peace of mind with every test administered.

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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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