Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Williamsville, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an essential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides a prolonged history of drug and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of growing hair strands. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. In cases requiring EtG tests, add-ons, and/or more than 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is advisable. If head hair can't be collected, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The primary phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory's process. This phase consists of ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and carrying out any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result needs confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Samples that show presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

Upon finding a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered the most complex methodology.

To confirm any positive screening outcome, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Necessary washes are performed on all presumptive positive samples before confirmation. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests have a detection capability extending up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Due to its nature, cheating on a hair drug test is highly unlikely, increasing the reliability of the results.
• Provides historical usage patterns: It offers insights into drug use trends over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Price: Hair drug assessments tend to be pricier compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In the domain of drug testing, hair follicle tests outshine their urine counterparts in Williamsville, IL. Their superior detection capabilities extend to a broader range of substances and offer a lengthier history of substance use. The reliability and accuracy of hair testing provide a trustworthy alternative to more conventional methods, ensuring employers get a comprehensive view of potential employees' substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Williamsville, IL captures drug use over a substantial duration, up to 90 days. This comprehensive perspective offers employers significant insights into the substance history of applicants or employees, setting it apart from shorter-term detection methods. The extended timeline aids in making informed decisions based on comprehensive data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout features of hair follicle tests in Williamsville, IL is their tamper-resistant nature. The robustness of these tests significantly lowers the risk of sample adulteration. This quality ensures that the results are both reliable and undeniable. As a secure testing method, it offers employers and legal entities the confidence that they are receiving valid and trustworthy results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing facilities in Williamsville, IL offer convenient nationwide locations. Engaging with our services guarantees accessibility wherever you are, owing to our widespread network. Quick and hassle-free access ensures you're always a step away from reliable testing centers, tailored to meet the needs of both local and national clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle drug testing in Williamsville, IL offers a simple, confidential process. The procedure for ordering, conducting, and obtaining results is straightforward, ensuring ease of use and prioritizing privacy. From initiation to outcome, the process respects personal confidentiality while providing an efficient solution to testing needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With our affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Williamsville, IL, Accredited Drug Testing stands out as a cost-effective solution. We provide competitive pricing structures that accommodate businesses of all sizes, complemented by swift result processing. Our affordability and speed assure exceptional value, making us a preferred choice for many.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Williamsville, IL guarantee fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests enables the detection of substance use with unparalleled accuracy, distinguishing them from traditional methods. Their efficient process means results are delivered swiftly, reducing waiting periods and delivering peace of mind to employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind for employers in Williamsville, IL. By adhering to workplace drug-free policies, companies can minimize legal risks and promote a safer workplace environment. The dependability of hair testing ensures that employers not only meet regulatory requirements but also foster a drug-free culture.

Drug Testing Near Williamsville, IL

Springfield, IL

Lake Fork, IL

Middletown, IL

Grandview, IL

Clear Lake, IL

Broadwell, IL

Dawson, IL

Cornland, IL

Riverton, IL

Cantrall, IL

Spaulding, IL

Elkhart, IL

Sherman, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews