Hair Follicle Drug Testing - White Hall, IL

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can provide an extended timeline of alcohol and drug presence, as it captures biomarkers within the fibers of an expanding hair strand. With samples taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of nearly three months. Collection of hair is straightforward, harder to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Collecting a sample of 1.5-inch length from around 200 hair strands (roughly equal to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the standard amount for testing and verification. For assessments such as EtG, additional checks, or more comprehensive tests exceeding 10 panels, a collection of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to measure the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair; body hair encompasses all other forms (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The primary four stages in the lab analysis of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory's database. It involves ensuring the sample's seal and shipment are intact, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and completing any other data inputs missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid check for drug substances. Although Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive result is required for court admission. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, further hair is taken from the primary sample for Extraction. During this step, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging practices to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples presumptively positive are cleaned before proceeding to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair test is quite challenging, thus enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: This test can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be discernible in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests are typically pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variances: Elements such as hair pigmentation and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in White Hall, IL

• Hair follicle testing in White Hall provides superior assessment with a longer detection period, offering more comprehensive insight than urine tests.
• Eliminating the risk of sample tampering, hair tests achieve greater reliability and accuracy in results compared to traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in White Hall, IL

• With a detection window extending up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers employers detailed insights into an individual's substance use history.
• This extended timeline is crucial for assessing an applicant or employee's past behavior in a more thorough manner.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in White Hall, IL

• Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the risk of sample tampering, making them a reliable option for drug testing.
• The method ensures conclusive results, allowing no room for altering the test sample and providing confidence in outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in White Hall, IL

• Our nationwide testing facilities simplify the process, offering quick and accessible services without stress.
• Local centers in White Hall ensure that drug testing is conducted efficiently and conveniently, saving time for organizations and individuals.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in White Hall, IL

• The hair follicle testing system is designed for ease, maintaining privacy through a straightforward order and results process.
• Confidential and efficient, this process addresses privacy concerns, ensuring secure handling of sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in White Hall, IL

• Competitive pricing structures combined with rapid response times bring excellent value for corporations of all sizes.
• This efficient service not only delivers quick results but also ensures peace of mind through budget-friendly options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in White Hall, IL

• Hair follicle drug tests in White Hall, IL offer unmatched precision and quick results, identifying substances reliably.
• The speed and accuracy of these tests lead to trustworthy results, ensuring decisions are made based on solid evidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in White Hall, IL

• Employing hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities and bolstering safety.
• Adhering to such methods provides employers with reassurance and conforms with regulatory requirements.

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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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