Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Winchester, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Through capturing biomarkers within the fibers of growing strands, hair offers an extended historical record of alcohol and drug usage. When removed near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use for a period of up to about three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion containing approximately 200 hairs (around the thickness of a standard pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For testing such as EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is preferred. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is advised. If head hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we only mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other varieties (like facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The four essential stages in processing drug test outcomes in a laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first phase involving the incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample is sealed, shipped correctly, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any extra data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening is an initial swift evaluation for drug presence. Although Screening efficiently eliminates drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples testing presumptive positive during Screening need additional authentication.

For samples testing presumptive positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the primary sample for further Extraction. This stage extracts substances from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug screening notably challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any screening positives is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are cleansed as necessary. Every laboratory stage, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection interval.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair testing is very tough to deceive, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It shows a timeline of drug use over a more extended period, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: There’s a 5-7 day timeframe before drugs are present in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", these analyses examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Winchester, IL, opting for hair follicle testing over urine testing is advantageous. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability.

• Longer detection period up to 90 days.
• Less vulnerable to manipulation or substitution.
• Preferred by organizations with zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

In Winchester, IL, hair follicle testing is a valuable tool for employers to assess drug use over an extended detection window of up to 90 days.

• Offers a complete profile of an individual's substance history.
• Useful for identifying consistent drug use patterns.
• Enables employers to make informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Winchester, IL, offers a tamper-resistant method, minimizing sample adulteration risks.

• Collection process is closely monitored for accuracy.
• Provides undeniable results, ensuring compliance.
• Widely accepted as reliable evidence in legal scenarios.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of nationwide testing locations in Winchester, IL, with Accredited Drug Testing.

• Multiple centers ensure easy access.
• Quick and hassle-free testing for all clientele.
• Availability of local tests aligns with employee needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Winchester, IL, prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality.

• Ordering and results are efficiently managed.
• Privacy of individuals is safeguarded throughout.
• Stress-free procedure promotes user confidence.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing combined with fast turnaround in Winchester, IL, makes hair follicle testing a valuable choice.

• Competitive rates for all business sizes.
• Timely results that meet urgent needs.
• Budget-friendly without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

A hair follicle drug test in Winchester, IL, offers fast, accurate, and reliable detection of substance use. With precision and rapid results, it surpasses traditional testing methods, efficiently identifying drugs.

• Quick turnaround time ensures you get results promptly.
• High accuracy in tracing both current and past drug usage.
• Trusted by professionals for its dependable performance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Winchester, IL, ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers by adhering to drug-free workplace policies.

• Reduces potential legal liabilities.
• Promotes a safe, productive working environment.
• Enhances employer reputation for maintaining integrity.

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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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