Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Goodrich, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective tool for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a chronicling medium by capturing biomarkers within the fibers as the strand grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers insight into drug and alcohol use over roughly a 3-month timespan. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, it is relatively resistant to tampering, and it is uncomplicated to transport.

A segment measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest the scalp, gathers 100mg of hair, which is perfect for both screening and confirmation. In the case of EtG, supplementary screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is best to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug test results consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s workflow. This step ensures the sample is sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data entry that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary check for drug traces. While cost-efficient for eliminating drug usage in most samples, any positive screenings require confirmation to be legally valid. Samples marked as presumptively positive during Screening demand follow-up verification.

For samples testing presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair in a substantially lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of a positive result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The full laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is conducted under the scrutiny of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection horizon.
• Resilience to tampering: It is extraordinarily challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thus yielding more reliable outcomes.
• Historical insight: It provides a history of drug usage over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: About 5-7 days are needed for drugs to become traceable in the hair.
• Cost factor: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than other drug testing alternatives.
• Result variability: Attributes such as hair color and individual hair growth patterns can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the testing is performed on the hair strand itself, not the underlying follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Goodrich, MI, hair follicle testing shows clear advantages over traditional urine testing. Its reliability and accuracy make it a superior choice for detecting substances.

Compared to urine tests, hair testing offers enhanced detection accuracy, providing dependable results that employers can trust.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of up to 90 days with hair follicle testing in Goodrich, MI, offers employers a significant advantage in understanding an employee’s substance use history.

This long detection period gives a comprehensive view, making it invaluable for assessing overall drug use behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Goodrich, MI, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests minimizes the risk of adulteration, ensuring results are trustworthy.

With a collection process that deters manipulation, it provides a robust solution for those seeking reliable drug testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations, including in Goodrich, MI. Nationwide centers ensure easy and hassle-free access to services.

This network of accessible testing sites provides quick and straightforward testing experiences for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Goodrich, MI is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure ensures privacy and ease of use.

Clients can trust in discreet handling, eliminating concerns about confidentiality breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Goodrich, MI, our hair follicle testing provides great value and peace of mind for businesses of varied sizes.

The balance of affordability and efficiency makes it an ideal solution for comprehensive drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing stands out in Goodrich, MI for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The speedy identification of substance use, combined with high precision, makes this a preferred method for employers.

Due to its meticulous nature, hair follicle testing quickly identifies drug use, offering results that meet high standards of accuracy consistently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Goodrich, MI find peace of mind through compliance with drug-free workplace policies using hair follicle testing. It reduces legal risks while enhancing workplace safety.

Adopting such thorough testing methods strengthens corporate strategies and contributes to a secure work environment.

Drug Testing Near Goodrich, MI

Oxford, MI

Village of Clarkston, MI

North Manitou, MI

Lake Fenton, MI

Flint, MI

Metamora, MI

Holly, MI

Burton, MI

Grand Blanc, MI

Ortonville, MI

Hanover, 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