Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Franklin, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers in the strands of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal sample size for initial screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial sample processing into a lab's system, which involves verifying the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples presumed positive in Screening need secondary confirmation.

For samples presumed positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodologically.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptively positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: It is exceedingly difficult to alter a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Delivers historical data: Offers a record of drug use over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally more costly than other testing methods.
• Result Variability: Aspects like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though often tagged as "hair follicle tests", the examination is of the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When considering drug testing in Franklin, MI, the advantages of hair follicle over urine testing cannot be ignored. Hair testing exhibits superior accuracy, especially in detecting long-term drug consumption, proving more reliable than traditional urine tests.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle examinations capture a broader timeframe of drug use history. This extended detection capability grants employers greater assurance in maintaining a drug-free environment, cementing hair testing's reliability.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle tests stands unparalleled in Franklin, MI, capturing up to 90 days of drug use history. This comprehensive view significantly aids employers in understanding an individual's substance habits.

Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle testing provides insights into long-term substance use. This extended detection is crucial for employers seeking a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's drug habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Franklin, MI, vastly reduces tampering risks compared to other methods. The integrity of these tests is difficult to compromise, ensuring reliable outcomes that stakeholders can trust.

Thanks to its design, hair testing resists sample adulteration effectively. This tamper-resistant characteristic makes it a reliable choice for accurate and unquestionable results in drug evaluations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Franklin, MI, benefits from the convenience of national and local testing centers, courtesy of Accredited Drug Testing. With locations spread across cities, accessing our services is quick and hassle-free.

Our expansive network of testing sites ensures that individuals and businesses in Franklin, MI, enjoy easy access to drug testing services, streamlining the process and improving user experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Franklin, MI, the simplicity and confidentiality of the hair follicle testing process are prioritized. From ordering to receiving results, users are assured of privacy throughout each step.

Addressing concerns of privacy and user-friendliness, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward. Franklin, MI, residents can trust in both the ease and discretion ensured in every test administered.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick result turnaround in Franklin, MI. Clients benefit from high-value drug testing services suitable for businesses of all sizes.

With affordability and swift results in mind, our hair follicle testing services in Franklin, MI, provide an attractive option for companies looking to balance cost-efficiency with reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Franklin, MI, hair follicle drug testing promises swift and precise results. This method offers unmatched speed in detecting substance use, enhancing both reliability and trustworthiness. Stakeholders relying on these tests value their accuracy and efficiency in evaluating past drug consumption.

The precision of hair follicle testing in substance detection is notable; it provides reliable insights into an individual's drug habits. Compared to other methods, it stands out in terms of speed and accuracy, making it a preferred choice for thorough evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Franklin, MI, hair follicle testing offers compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method lessens legal risks, while enhancing safety and productivity by ensuring adherence to set guidelines.

Employers gain peace of mind through hair testing by maintaining compliant workplace standards. This method supports a safer environment by effectively deterring drug use, fostering a culture of trust and responsibility.

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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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