Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bingham Farms, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the forming hair strand fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. The collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both preliminary examination and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen amount of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. Head hair references are specific to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

There are four essential steps in the laboratory interpretation of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the primary integration of a specimen into a lab's system. This phase ensures the specimen's seal and shipping were conducted appropriately, allocates an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any supplementary data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

The Screening phase offers a preliminary rapid evaluation for substance abuse. Although it is an economical means of excluding drug use in most specimens, a positive Screening must be verified for judicial validity. All samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate secondary verification.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and set for the Extraction phase. This phase extracts substances from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid); hence, hair drug screening is the most complex technique to perform.

Verifying any positive result from Screening occurs via methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can monitor drug intake for up to 90 days, contrary to urine tests with a shorter detection range.
• Difficulty in evasion: Evading a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Delivers historical insight: It provides a drug usage pattern over an extended timeline, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair analysis.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often incur greater costs than alternative drug testing practices.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the hair follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bingham Farms, MI
While traditional urine tests have been used for years, hair follicle tests offer distinct advantages. The accuracy of hair testing surpasses urine tests, detecting substances with heightened precision. Employers and policy-makers value hair tests for their superior reliability, providing a more comprehensive assessment of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bingham Farms, MI
Hair follicle testing offers a noteworthy advantage with its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This prolonged period enables employers to gain insight into an individual's substance use history, presenting a detailed overview of potential drug habits. With this extended reach, organizations can make informed decisions regarding hiring and ongoing employment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bingham Farms, MI
Hair follicle tests are constructed to significantly reduce the risk of tampering and sample adulteration. The collection method ensures that the integrity of the sample is upheld, producing results that are difficult to contest. This security makes hair testing a reliable choice for those seeking assured and validated outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bingham Farms, MI
Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers ensures convenient access for clients. Whether you are in Bingham Farms or beyond, our locations provide a straightforward and hassle-free experience for drug testing. The accessibility of our services supports your company's needs efficiently and effectively.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bingham Farms, MI
We ensure a straightforward and confidential process, from test ordering to result receiving. Our approach respects individuals' privacy, offering an easy-to-follow procedure that prioritizes discretion. Our process alleviates any potential concerns about privacy while making the testing experience seamless and worry-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bingham Farms, MI
We offer competitive pricing structures, coupled with swift turnaround times, to provide exceptional value to organizations of all sizes. Our affordable pricing makes hair follicle testing a viable option without compromising on speed and reliability, ensuring companies get quality results at a reasonable cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bingham Farms, MI
Hair follicle drug testing boasts exceptional precision and quick turnaround times. Its superior accuracy ensures reliable substance detection, making it a preferred choice. The efficiency of this method allows for fast, dependable results, helping employers maintain a safe and healthy workplace environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bingham Farms, MI
By employing hair follicle testing, employers can align with drug-free workplace policies, reducing the likelihood of substance abuse-related incidents. This strategy lessens legal exposure and fosters a safer work environment. With reliable testing measures, employers can achieve compliance while maintaining peace of mind.

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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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