Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Forest Hills, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken from close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch strand sample equivalent to about 200 hairs (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and verification. For EtG, supplements, and/or assays beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale is recommended. If scalp hair is deficient, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we are specifying scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key phases in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the basic processing of a sample into a lab's records. It includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and sent, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data recording not offered by an electronic chain of custody platform.

Screening consists of a quick initial testing for illegal drugs. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug consumption in most cases, a positive result must be confirmed for legal use. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a much reduced concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug tests are the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug assessments can sense drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to falsify: It is extremely hard to alter a hair drug test, making outcomes more reliable.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a history of drug utilization over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs require around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing options.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and personal disparities in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug residues in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Forest Hills, MI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in effectiveness and reliability. This method offers a superior detection capability.

Compared to urine tests, hair testing stands out for its comprehensive drug use detection, leaving lesser room for inaccuracies.

Employers in Forest Hills, MI, find hair testing a more accurate choice than urine, giving it an edge in workplace policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Forest Hills, MI deliver extended detection of drug use, capturing data over a 90-day period.

This method provides employers a nuanced view of substance history, extending far beyond that of urine tests.

For a long-term insight into employee drug activity, hair testing is unparalleled, effectively covering up to three months.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Forest Hills, MI, hair follicle tests significantly minimize the chance of sample adulteration.

Employers benefit from this tamper-resistant method, offering consistent and credible test results.

This testing method provides reassurance with its robust and secure sample integrity, standing firm against tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Forest Hills, MI benefits from nationwide testing centers ensuring swift and accessible services.

Local centers provide hassle-free testing, allowing for a seamless experience across regions in Forest Hills, MI.

Employers and individuals enjoy the convenience of comprehensive testing solutions across nationwide locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Forest Hills, MI, the process for ordering and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and discreet.

Confidentiality is upheld at every step, ensuring privacy for all clients during the testing procedure.

This straightforward approach alleviates privacy concerns, offering streamlined and confidential services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle testing in Forest Hills, MI provides excellent value to companies.

Fast turnaround times coupled with affordable rates make these tests attractive to businesses of all sizes.

With budget-friendly options, companies in Forest Hills, MI gain peace of mind while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Forest Hills, MI is noteworthy. Their speed adds another layer of appeal, ensuring swift and dependable outcomes.

Accuracy is a hallmark of hair follicle tests, offering trustworthy results that stand resolute in substance detection.

In Forest Hills, MI, these tests quickly deliver reliable insights into potential drug use scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle tests in Forest Hills, MI, employers find compliance with drug-free workplace policies streamlined.

These tests reduce legal risks, creating a safer and more secure work environment.

Implementing this method ensures adherence to regulations, offering peace of mind and safety.

Drug Testing Near Forest Hills, MI

Smyrna, MI

Cutlerville, MI

Caledonia, MI

Gaines, MI

Rockford, MI

Comstock Park, MI

Kentwood, MI

Kent City, MI

Grand Rapids, MI

Northview, MI

Lowell, MI

East Grand Rapids, MI

Coldwater, 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