Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fairport, MI

What it is, How it works

The perception of hair testing has evolved into a valuable means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a chronicled record of alcohol and other drug usage by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When harvested near the scalp, hair can yield an approximate 3-month detection period for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, comprising roughly 200 strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, equates to 100mg of hair, which is optimal for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be sourced. When indicating head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in the laboratory is segmented into four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails integrating a sample into the laboratory's database system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry beyond what the electronic chain of custody system offers.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in the majority of instances, a positive screening necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples with presumptive positive results during Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is conducted by employing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify substance use over the past 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to manipulate: Due to the high difficulty in tampering with hair drug tests, results tend to be more accurate.
• Historical insights: Hair tests can reveal a drug use pattern over time, rather than just indicating recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: It generally takes 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually more costly compared to other testing methodologies.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fairport, MI, hair follicle testing reliably outperforms traditional urine tests. While urine analysis offers valuable insights, hair testing provides superior detection and accuracy. Advantages include:

• Extended detection period
• Hardiness against tampering

Extended Detection Window

For Fairport, MI employers, understanding substance history is crucial, and hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This comprehensive insight aids in evaluating a candidate's past substance use, ensuring informed decisions. Unlike other methods, hair tests capture a broader history, making them a valuable resource in maintaining a safe and drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Fairport, MI offer unmatched reliability, primarily because they are resistant to tampering. Unlike other samples, hair cannot be easily altered, ensuring the results remain true to the sample collected. This rigidity against adulteration makes hair tests a go-to option for dependable drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide network, including Fairport, MI, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward. Multiple locations ensure ease of availability and quick access to testing solutions, reducing the hassle for individuals and businesses alike. Our expansive network ensures you're covered wherever you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fairport, MI, our hair follicle testing process is simple and discreet. Clients can order tests easily, with results delivered confidentially. Privacy is paramount, ensuring concern-free testing experiences. From start to finish, the entire procedure is designed to be user-friendly and unobtrusive, respecting personal boundaries.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, our hair follicle testing services in Fairport, MI constitute excellent value. Whether for small businesses or large corporations, our pricing structures are designed to accommodate all, ensuring peace of mind without breaking the bank. Fast results are part of our promise.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests stand out in Fairport, MI for their precision and speed. Not only do these tests provide accurate detection of substance use, but they also ensure reliability that surpasses other methods. Fast and thorough, the streamlined process delivers results promptly, allowing businesses to make informed decisions with confidence, all within a quick timeframe.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By choosing hair follicle testing, employers in Fairport, MI can ensure adherence to legal requirements and workplace drug policies. This method not only guarantees compliance but also provides peace of mind to employers looking to foster a safe working environment. It reduces the risk of legal issues stemming from substance abuse.

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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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