Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wheaton, IL

What it is, How it works

Regarding the detection of drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing has emerged as a significant method. Hair retains long-term evidence of substances, capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, the detection window for both alcohol and drugs can extend up to 3 months. The collection of hair is straightforward, with low risks for tampering, and it is easy to send for analysis.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch piece consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) located closest to the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is deemed optimal for testing. For screenings such as EtG, or those encompassing more than 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be lacking, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other variants (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The core steps in processing drug-test samples in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step, involving the input of a sample into the lab's system. This involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional required data entry beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.

Screening acts as an initial, swift check for drugs. It is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in many instances. Nonetheless, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to be legally valid. Any sample that tests presumptive positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the initially collected sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of any initial positive result involves utilizing techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples are washed if required. The complete procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug analysis identifies drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer shorter detection periods.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: This method depicts a history of drug use over time, beyond merely identifying recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to find recent consumption: It typically takes 5-7 days post-consumption for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", this analysis actually focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Wheaton, IL
The efficacy of hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests, offering superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests which detect recent drug use, hair tests provide a window into long-term patterns of substance usage, ensuring comprehensive insight and enhanced reliability. This method fortifies anti-drug policies with its precise and enduring detection range.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Wheaton, IL
Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This longevity allows employers to gain a complete understanding of an individual’s drug use history, ensuring informed decision-making processes. The comprehensive nature of this test helps maintain a drug-free environment, accurately reflecting long-term behavioral patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Wheaton, IL
The integrity of hair follicle testing is fortified by its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methods, hair testing drastically reduces sample manipulation possibilities, ensuring that results remain uncontested. This robust approach provides reliable data, enhancing trust and confidence amongst users and making it a preferred choice for those seeking authentic results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Wheaton, IL
With testing centers scattered nationwide, the accessibility of our services is unmatched. This broad network ensures that testing is both swift and convenient, removing any barriers to access. Whether local or across the country, our facilities provide streamlined experiences for those requiring drug testing services, fostering a seamless testing journey.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Wheaton, IL
The hair follicle testing process is designed with simplicity and confidentiality at its core. From ordering to receiving results, every stage is executed with the utmost respect for privacy. Users can confidently engage with the system, assured of their information's security, whilst the procedure remains straightforward and user-friendly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Wheaton, IL
Providing competitive pricing and quick result turnaround, our hair follicle testing offers exceptional value. Companies of all sizes appreciate the cost-effective solutions we bring, ensuring that both budget constraints and quality standards are met. With hastened processing times, immediate results are attainable, cementing our service as a blend of affordability and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Wheaton, IL
Hair follicle drug tests are known for delivering rapid and precise results, providing unmatched accuracy in substance detection. The advanced methodology employed ensures that users can trust the outcomes, making them a go-to option for efficient testing. Employers and individuals alike benefit from this reliable testing method, offering peace of mind and timely information.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Wheaton, IL
Employers benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace mandates. The method lowers legal liabilities and boost workplace security. By opting for this testing, companies not only meet compliance requirements but also cultivate an environment of safety, significantly reducing the potential for drug-related incidents.

Drug Testing Near Wheaton, IL

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North Glen Ellyn, IL

Glen Ellyn, IL

Milton, 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.

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