Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bessemer, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can detect substances for a period extending to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and about 200 hair strands (roughly comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg—ideal for both testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for measurement is suggested. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. Head hair specifically references scalp hair, while body hair includes all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where a sample enters the lab’s system. This step checks that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial examination for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient way to eliminate drug use across most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court validity. Presumptive positives in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening extremely challenging.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing if necessary before confirmation. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed 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 detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological data provision: It reveals a timeline of drug use, rather than just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent usage: Substances take about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result discrepancies: Elements like hair color and individual variations in hair growth can impact metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bessemer, MI
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in Bessemer due to superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are limited to shorter detection periods, hair testing has an extensive window, making it more effective for identifying long-term substance use. Businesses benefit from its undeniable accuracy and comprehensive insights.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bessemer, MI
Hair follicle testing offers an impressive detection window of up to 90 days, considerably longer than other methods. This extended timeframe allows employers in Bessemer to obtain a thorough view of an individual's substance history, aiding in effective decision-making regarding hiring or continued employment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bessemer, MI
The hair follicle test is an exceptional method that minimizes the potential for sample tampering, ensuring reliable and undeniable results. Its design makes it nearly impossible to alter, providing businesses in Bessemer with the assurance of honest assessments and maintaining credibility in drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bessemer, MI
Our testing centers, strategically positioned across the nation including local availability in Bessemer, provide seamless access to our services. Businesses and individuals benefit from easy and stress-free accessibility, ensuring testing is conducted without disruption or inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bessemer, MI
Our process is designed to be straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering a test to receiving results, every step is simplified for user ease. In Bessemer, we prioritize discretion while delivering comprehensive drug testing solutions to meet varied needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bessemer, MI
We provide competitive pricing structures paired with quick turnaround times, offering exceptional value to companies of any size. Our efficient service in Bessemer ensures you receive results promptly, allowing for timely decisions while maintaining your budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bessemer, MI
Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and precision in detecting substance use. The highly accurate procedure ensures that the results you receive are both quick and dependable, allowing you to make informed decisions promptly. Bessemer businesses can count on this state-of-the-art testing to maintain the integrity of their workforce.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bessemer, MI
Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies with ease. This reliable method reduces legal liabilities and promotes a safer work environment. For Bessemer companies, this compliance not only strengthens policy enforcement but also enhances overall peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Bessemer, MI

Trout Creek, MI

Ontonagon, MI

Watersmeet, MI

Bruce Crossing, MI

Wolf Lake, MI

Rockland, MI

Ewen, MI

Bergland, MI

Marenisco, MI

Twin Lake, MI

Connorville, MI

Thomaston, MI

Ironwood, MI

Ramsay, MI

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