Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wedges Corner, IL

What it is, How it works

Recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage, hair analysis offers a comprehensive timeline by embedding biomarkers within the structure of growing hair strands. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use with up to a three-month detection period. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and transportation is uncomplicated.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in width) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair is an acceptable substitute. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all non-scalp hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis for a drug test result encompasses main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially integrated into the lab’s system. The process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

In the Screening phase, a preliminary check is conducted for the presence of abused drugs. Although Screening is an affordable approach to eliminate drug use suspicions in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive screenings must undergo secondary confirmation.

Should Screening suggest a presumptive positive, additional hair is collected from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most intricate to execute.

Positive results from Screening enter Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, necessary, presumptively positive samples undergo a washing process. The full laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated per CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is notably hard, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Illustrates usage patterns: It maps drug usage trends over time, beyond immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than other drug testing modalities.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair might be influenced by hair color and individual growth inconsistencies.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Wedges Corner, IL

• Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability.
• The ability to detect drug use over extended periods is unmatched.
• More resistant to tampering compared to traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Wedges Corner, IL

• Detects drug use over periods up to 90 days, far longer than urine tests.
• Provides a comprehensive history of substance use for employers.
• Gives a fuller picture of an individual's recent habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Wedges Corner, IL

• Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to adulteration.
• Ensures sample integrity and reliable results.
• Offers undeniable evidence due to its tamper-proof nature.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Wedges Corner, IL

• Testing centers are available nationwide for convenience.
• Local centers ensure quick and hassle-free access.
• Easy to access, no matter the location, for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Wedges Corner, IL

• The ordering process is straightforward and confidential.
• Privacy and ease of use are prioritized in testing procedures.
• Simple steps from test ordering to result receipt.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Wedges Corner, IL

• Competitive pricing structures offer excellent value.
• Fast turnaround times provide quick results.
• Ideal for companies of any size looking for cost-efficient solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Wedges Corner, IL

• Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed.
• The accuracy of these tests in detecting substance use is exceptionally high.
• Results can be trusted to be both fast and reliable, ensuring prompt and dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Wedges Corner, IL

• Ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• Reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety.
• Provides employers with peace of mind and compliance assurance.

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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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