Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Winnetka, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged record of substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can present around a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and the samples are easily transportable.

Taking a 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from nearest the scalp provides 100mg, the optimum sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. In instances where scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial intake of a sample into the laboratory system. This process includes checking that the sample has been sealed and transported correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any needed data entry not performed by an electronic chain of custody system.

In the Screening phase, an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse is conducted. Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use across most samples. However, for court admissibility, a positive screen requires confirmation. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For samples with a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. The full process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: Tampering with hair drug tests is exceedingly challenging, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Gives historical insight: It can demonstrate a timeline of drug consumption, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests significantly eclipse urine exams in identifying prior drug use. Hair tests in Winnetka, IL, are known for their superior detection accuracy and provide more reliable results compared to traditional methods.

Enhanced Detection—employers and professionals are increasingly transitioning to this test due to its ability to reveal prolonged usage history, while urine tests often miss drug use occurring over extended periods.

Extended Detection Window

One notable benefit of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. Unlike other forms, tests can track drug use for up to 90 days. This feature makes it a preferred choice in Winnetka, IL, offering detailed insights into an individual's substance use history.

Employers benefit from hair testing's capacity to extend the review period of their workforce's drug use, providing a comprehensive overview of applicants or employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are tamper-resistant, leaving little room for adulteration, thus providing credible results that hold up in legal and professional settings in Winnetka, IL. These tests are conducted with strict observation, ensuring sample integrity.

The tamper-proof nature of this testing method offers unquestionable reliability, which cannot be easily achieved with traditional methods, reinforcing trust in the results obtained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing is a significant advantage of our nationwide network of testing centers, including local ones in Winnetka, IL. This vast reach ensures that our services are both convenient and hassle-free, offering clients and employers easy access to reliable testing.

With a presence across the country, Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the process for organizations in need of testing, facilitating swift and en masse testing efforts.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Winnetka, IL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From order placement to receiving results, every step prioritizes the privacy and comfort of the client.

Our well-structured procedures ensure ease of use, from the initial consultation to the discreet collection of samples, reaffirming our commitment to client satisfaction and confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive affordable pricing for hair follicle testing in Winnetka, IL, ensuring high-quality testing services that fit various budgets. Our rates are tailored to be economically viable for businesses of all sizes.

Alongside affordability, we pride ourselves on a fast turnaround, delivering prompt results without compromising on quality. This ensures optimal value for our corporate partners and individual clients alike.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Efficient and Precise results are key benefits when opting for hair follicle drug testing in Winnetka, IL. These tests deliver high accuracy due to their ability to detect various substances over a more prolonged period compared to other testing methods.

The accuracy and speed of hair follicle tests make them an ideal choice for individuals and employers who require fast and reliable results promptly, ensuring peace of mind and efficient management of testing processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing into workplace policies in Winnetka, IL, offers employers peace of mind by aligning with drug-free standards and minimizing legal risks. This method ensures comprehensive screening and compliance with regulations.

Safety and reliability are prioritized through hair testing, which detects prolonged substance use history, enhancing workplace safety and aiding in maintaining drug-free environments.

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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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