Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Frankfort, MI

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has been established as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands maintain a historical record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers up to about a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair samples are easy to gather, hard to alter, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp can supply 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirming results. For EtG testing, add-ons, or more extensive panels above 10, 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing for drug test results includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where the sample is processed into the laboratory's system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry required beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.

Screening is used for an initial assessment for drug use. Though Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples presuming positive during Screening do need secondary confirmation.

For presumptive positives in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair in much smaller concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug testing is complex.

Any positive result from Screening is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation standards of ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests track drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Cheating is difficult: Hair drug tests are highly reliable due to the challenge of tampering.
• Tracks usage patterns: It reveals patterns of drug use over periods, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become noticeable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other test methods.
• Result discrepancies: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", this test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Tests in Frankfort, MI? Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing boasts superior detection accuracy, making it a preferred choice for employers and courts. These tests trace drug use for a more extended period, providing a thorough view of an individual’s history.

Hair tests are highly reliable, reducing the chances of erroneous results seen in urine tests. Their extended detection and reliability enhance workplace safety and policy adherence.

Extended Detection Window

Extend Detection to 90 Days in Frankfort, MI
The hair follicle test's unmatched ability to reveal prolonged drug use periods sets it apart. It captures a broad window of substance use up to 90 days, offering employers substantial insight into an individual's history.

By examining the timeline more comprehensively, companies gain vital information, assisting in informed decision-making. This extensive detection dramatically aids adherence to drug-free policies, promoting a safe work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One major strength of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, there's little chance for falsification, ensuring the integrity of results. This transparency is crucial in upholding the credibility of testing procedures.

In Frankfort, MI, the consistency of hair tests guarantees the dependability of findings, offering stakeholders, including employers and judiciary officials, results they can trust as unbiased and accurate.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to testing centers across the nation, including local spots in Frankfort, MI. Our array of facilities ensures easy, hassle-free testing processes.
Quickly find a location close to your vicinity, eliminating prolonged commutes and streamlining testing procedures for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing process is simple and confidential, guiding individuals seamlessly through ordering, collection, and receiving results. This clarity helps to address privacy concerns promptly, especially within the Frankfort, MI area.
Your peace of mind is paramount; hence, our discreet approach reassures stakeholders of their information's confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Frankfort, MI, we pride ourselves on offering affordable pricing structures tailored to suit every organization.
Our fast turnaround times underscore our dedication to delivering value and efficiency, ensuring exceptional service for businesses of all sizes.
Meet compliance needs without financial strain thanks to our competitive rates and diligent timelines.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Delivering results swiftly and accurately, hair follicle drug tests in Frankfort, MI set the benchmark in substance detection.Our assured precision in results provides peace of mind, confirming the presence of drugs with high accuracy.

Employing sophisticated methods, the efficiency of hair testing ensures minimal delays, offering vital information quickly. This speed allows stakeholders to make informed decisions promptly while maintaining confidentiality.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensure Peace of Mind for Employers in Frankfort, MI by adhering to workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing.
This method not only mitigates legal risks but enhances safety, adhering to industry standards.

Regular testing supports a secure work environment, fostering trust among employees and management—reassuring stakeholders of their commitment to a safe and compliant workplace.

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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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