Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Aura, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended timeline of alcohol and drug records by capturing biomarkers within the strands. When collected near the scalp, hair offers up to about a 3-month detection range for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is perfect for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels above 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial sample processing within a lab's system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary check for drug use. Although Screening is an economical method to identify drug use on most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

If the sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging approach.

Confirming any positive screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter window.
• Hard to fake: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Provides historical insight: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Variations in outcomes: Hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug detection in Aura, MI, hair follicle tests offer superior accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. The longer detection window and resistance to tampering make hair tests a preferred choice for many. Employers trust this method for its reliability in providing comprehensive substance use histories.

Aside from higher accuracy rates, hair follicle testing enhances the credibility of the results, making it widely favored for workplace testing and legal requirements.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Aura, MI, offers an extended detection window for drug use, often up to 90 days. This method provides employers with an extensive overview of an employee's or applicant's substance use history, allowing for better-informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Compared to other testing methods, the prolonged detection period of hair follicle tests ensures that businesses have a thorough understanding of potential substance use issues, reinforcing their approaches towards a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in Aura, MI, drastically reduces the chances of sample tampering, ensuring results are trustworthy. This testing approach almost eliminates the risk of adulteration, providing clients with certainty in their substance use assessments.

Thanks to its resistance to tampering, hair follicle testing emerges as a foolproof method, establishing itself as a standard of reliability for those in need of accurate and dependable drug testing solutions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to testing services through its widespread centers, including those in Aura, MI. Nationwide availability ensures clients experience fast and hassle-free service without the inconvenience of traveling long distances.

Offering local testing options enhances the accessibility of our services, making it easy for individuals and businesses alike to participate in quick and effective testing procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Aura, MI, our hair follicle testing process remains simple and confidential, providing ease from ordering to test-taking and obtaining results. We prioritize privacy concerns, ensuring your data and results are delivered securely and discreetly.

The entire testing process is designed for user convenience, focusing on offering an easy-to-follow and private experience for all test participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Aura, MI, our hair follicle testing services are affordably priced, providing fast turnaround times that present exceptional value. We cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring they receive cost-effective testing without sacrificing quality.

Our competitive pricing and efficient delivery of results offer companies peace of mind, knowing they are investing in a dependable service that upholds their workplace standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Aura, MI, hair follicle testing stands out for its remarkable precision and speed in delivering results. Offering high accuracy, this method of testing ensures substances consumed are accurately detected, providing reliable data. It's the ideal choice for those requiring swift and precise drug testing outcomes.

The ability of hair follicle tests to rapidly yield results without compromising on accuracy makes it an invaluable tool for both employers and individuals seeking assurance in their substance testing decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Aura, MI, hair follicle testing contributes to employers’ compliance with drug-free workplace policies, lessening legal risks and bolstering workplace safety. By utilizing this testing method, organizations ensure adherence to regulations and benefit from enhanced worker safety and morale.

Implementing hair follicle tests helps foster a peace of mind for employers, knowing they have taken effective measures to maintain a drug-free working environment.

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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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