Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Benzonia, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use within a roughly 3-month timeframe. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG assessments, additional screenings, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler's scale is recommended for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (such as facial hair or armpit hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is logged into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data needed beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening offers a budget-friendly means to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result requires further confirmation to be considered valid in legal settings. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent verification.

For specimens testing presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for further processing. In this Extraction phase, drug compounds are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than those found in other testing mediums (e.g., urine or saliva), contributing to the complexity of hair drug testing.

The Confirmation of any positive Screening result is done using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before final confirmation as needed. The end-to-end laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits:

• Extended detection period: Hair testing can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine testing has a more limited timeframe.
• Secure results: Due to its complexity, a hair drug test is challenging to falsify, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical insights: This testing method can display patterns of drug usage over time, rather than just recent activity.

Considerations:

• Delayed detection: Drugs are typically only detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair testing usually costs more than other drug testing options.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests in Benzonia, MI with superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a longer detection window, uncovering substance use that could be missed otherwise.

The reliability of hair follicle tests in Benzonia outshines urine tests. While urine tests can detect recent drug use, hair tests offer up to 90 days of substance history, proving them as a dependable choice for comprehensive analysis.

Extended Detection Window

In Benzonia, MI, the remarkable detection window offered by hair follicle testing extends up to 90 days. This duration provides employers with an in-depth understanding of an individual's substance use history.

The extended detection period of hair follicle tests gives employers a comprehensive look into past drug use, aiding in informed hiring decisions. Such range ensures a broader perspective on an applicant's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Benzonia, MI effectively reduces sample adulteration risks. Its method offers results that are hard to dispute, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests ensures reliable outcomes. In Benzonia, MI, this testing method stands as a safeguard against manipulation, delivering unquestionable results that companies can trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our convenient nationwide centers, including Benzonia, MI, testing services become hassle-free. Accessing reliable and quick drug testing has never been easier, offering great convenience to all involved.

In Benzonia, MI, our local and nationwide testing locations provide swift and straightforward access to drug testing services. This network ensures you receive hassle-free service, wherever you are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing offers a simple and private testing process in Benzonia, MI. From the ordering to the testing phase, every step is designed to ensure confidentiality and ease for users.

Testing procedures in Benzonia, MI are straightforward and confidential, safeguarding your privacy at every stage. The simple process covers ordering, testing, and result dissemination seamlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing prides itself on competitive pricing for companies in Benzonia, MI. The affordable rates, coupled with fast turnaround times, provide great value to businesses of any size.

In Benzonia, MI, our fast results and economical pricing structures ensure excellent service value. These factors contribute to our reputation as a reliable drug testing partner for diverse business needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Benzonia, MI, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their rapid and accurate results. With their high precision, these tests detect substance use effectively, ensuring employers have reliable data for decision-making processes.

The speed of hair follicle testing ensures faster results, making it an invaluable tool for immediate and informed decision-making. With precise analysis, these tests provide the reliability needed for various scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies is crucial in Benzonia, MI. Hair follicle testing helps reduce legal risks and promotes workplace safety through reliable detection of substance use.

Employers in Benzonia who choose hair follicle testing benefit from peace of mind. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, preventing legal issues and fostering a safer work 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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