Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Copper Harbor, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug ingestion by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluating and confirming. For EtG, supplementary assessments, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested that 150mg of the specimen be used. It is advised to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. In terms of head hair, this specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair variations (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four fundamental stages involved in the lab processing of a drug testing result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of initially processing a sample into a lab's database. This encompasses confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises a preliminary swift examination for drugs of misuse. Even though Screening is a budget-friendly means to exclude drug usage for the majority of specimens, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be permissible in court. Any specimens that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent confirmation.

If a specimen shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial sample and made ready for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening ranks as the most challenging methodology to execute.

Any screening result that is positive is verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a cleansing before confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a brief detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, thus making the outcomes more reliable.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over a time span, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superiority of hair follicle over urine testing in Copper Harbor, MI, cannot be overstated. While traditional urine tests detect recent drug use, hair tests offer a more comprehensive overview, uncovering usage beyond immediate indications.

• Extended detection periods that far surpass urine tests.
• Unaffected by temporary hygiene methods or recent abstinence from drug use.

Extended Detection Window

In Copper Harbor, MI, hair follicle testing extends drug detection up to 90 days, providing a panoramic view of an individual's past substance use.

• Employers gain a clearer understanding of an employee's lifestyle, far beyond what urine tests provide.
• This broader detection window enhances decision-making during recruitment and monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Copper Harbor, MI, offer robust protection against tampering. Individuals seeking to alter results find hair testing a formidable challenge.

• Hair samples are resistant to adulteration, preserving result integrity.
• The process minimizes risks of sample contamination, ensuring fairness.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Copper Harbor, MI, benefits from the extensive network of testing centers provided by Accredited Drug Testing, facilitating easy access to vital services.

• Multiple locations ensure swift and convenient testing across the region.
• Eliminates the hassle of long-distance travel to meet testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Copper Harbor, MI, is streamlined and maintains utmost confidentiality, easing concerns about privacy.

• Ordering and testing procedures are simple, discreet, and user-friendly.
• Results are handled with the highest degree of privacy and security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

At Copper Harbor, MI, hair follicle testing is offered at competitive prices with rapid turnaround, delivering superior value.

• Affordable pricing ensures accessibility for organizations of all sizes.
• Fast processing times allow for quicker decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For residents of Copper Harbor, MI, hair follicle drug tests provide results with unmatched speed and accuracy. The precision in detecting even minute quantities of substances is notable, ensuring a thorough examination of past drug use.

• Tests offer swift processing without sacrificing precision, delivering timely results.
• Guaranteed accurate results help maintain trust and reliability in the testing procedure.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle tests ensures that companies in Copper Harbor, MI, adhere to drug-free policies while enhancing workplace safety.

• Reduces legal risks associated with non-compliance.
• Provides employers with peace of mind through reliable testing practices.

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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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