Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Frankfort, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substance use by holding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained from the scalp area, hair can reveal a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drug use. It's straightforward to gather, not easy to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) cut closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount necessary for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tasks, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to gather 150mg of the sample. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it signifies only scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types of hair (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key phases in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary processing of a sample into the lab system. It involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry outside the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is the initial rapid assessment for signs of drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening stage, additional hair from the initial collection is readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair in much smaller concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis the most complex method to undertake.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test positive are cleansed before verification if required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the guidelines of CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine evaluations have a shorter time frame.
• Difficult to falsify: The integrity of a hair drug evaluation is hard to compromise, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Reveals historical usage: It exhibits a pattern of drug use over a timeline, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair around 5-7 days after use.
• Costly: Hair drug evaluations generally exceed other methods in terms of expense.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft, not the hair follicle beneath the skin

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in West Frankfort, IL

In West Frankfort, hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection capabilities compared to urine tests. Its primary advantage is the extended detection window which can identify substances up to 90 days after use, unlike urine tests which are limited to a few days. This feature reassures employers of its accuracy and reliability, offering a fuller picture of a subject's drug use history.

Additionally, hair testing circumvents common issues associated with urine tests, such as adulteration or sample substitution. Given these strengths, it's no surprise that many entities are now favoring hair testing to maintain high standards in their drug-free workplace policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in West Frankfort, IL

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in West Frankfort is its extensive detection period. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing can track drug use for up to 90 days. This extended window allows employers to understand an employee's substance use more comprehensively, rather than just recent consumption.

Providing an extensive look into an individual's substance history, hair testing is invaluable for making informed hiring or continuing employment decisions. It offers peace of mind by ensuring that past drug use is detected efficiently and without delay, promoting a safer workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in West Frankfort, IL

The reliability of hair follicle testing in West Frankfort is largely attributed to its resistance to tampering. Unlike other testing methods, altering or contaminating a hair sample is exceedingly difficult. This feature ensures that test results are authentic and indisputable, maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Hair testing minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, giving employers confidence in the accuracy of their assessment. This robustness reinforces trust in the testing procedure, and ensures that the results truly reflect the subject's substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in West Frankfort, IL

Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to testing services with numerous nationwide locations, including accessible sites in West Frankfort, IL. This convenience allows for quick and hassle-free testing processes, minimizing disruptions for individuals and businesses alike.

The extensive network of testing centers supports rapid and efficient drug testing operations, demonstrating our commitment to accessibility and convenience. Local availability means that testing services are never far away.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in West Frankfort, IL

At Accredited Drug Testing, conducting hair follicle tests in West Frankfort is straightforward and secure. The process of ordering a test, taking it, and receiving the results is designed to safeguard privacy at every step, ensuring a confidential and user-friendly experience.

This streamlined approach alleviates concerns about privacy and complexity, making it seamless for both employers and individuals. By protecting client confidentiality, we provide a testing experience that is both discreet and efficient.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in West Frankfort, IL

Our hair follicle testing services in West Frankfort offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, ensuring cost-effective solutions for organizations of any size. Businesses benefit from reliable test results without compromising on budget or time.

With a focus on value and efficiency, we strive to meet our clients' needs promptly, reinforcing trust in our testing services. Affordable rates without sacrificing quality underscore our dedication to customer satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in West Frankfort, IL

Hair follicle drug testing in West Frankfort, IL, is celebrated for its precision and quick results. This method excels in accurately detecting substances, providing employers with a reliable overview of an individual's substance use. The speed at which results are obtained ensures prompt decisions, crucial for maintaining a productive environment.

A hair follicle test combines both speed and accuracy. The technology involved guarantees that substance detection is both thorough and swift, minimizing waiting times while maximizing reliability. This makes hair testing a preferred choice for many organizations that prioritize efficiency and accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in West Frankfort, IL

Hair follicle testing in West Frankfort helps employers stay compliant with drug-free workplace policies while enhancing safety. By deploying this method, organizations can significantly mitigate legal liabilities associated with workplace substance abuse, bolstering the company’s commitment to a drug-free environment.

The assurance that hair follicle testing provides is invaluable. It supports employers in making informed hiring decisions, reduces workplace incidents related to drug use, and maintains a safe and productive work setting.

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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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