Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grosse Pointe, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into an effective approach for detecting the presence of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a record of alcohol and other drugs over a long period by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. Collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

Taking a 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (approximately equal in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, the lab begins by entering the sample into its system. This involves confirming the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any extra data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial and rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be verified to be court-admissible. Presumptively positive samples from Screening require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in Screening, more hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Confirming any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, any presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. A comprehensive review of the end-to-end laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is carried out under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can ascertain drug use up to 90 days back, whereas urine tests offer a narrower detection duration.
• Hard to tamper with: It is quite challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insights: It provides a usage pattern over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect fresh use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may impact the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, ignoring the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs in Grosse Pointe, MI. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests. Its enhanced reliability and precision make it a preferred choice for comprehensive substance use screening, providing peace of mind to employers.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window for drug use is enabled through hair follicle analysis in Grosse Pointe, MI. This method allows recognition of substance consumption for up to 90 days, offering a detailed overview of an individual’s drug history, useful for employment assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Grosse Pointe, MI, bring a tamper-resistant approach to drug testing. Compared to urine tests, the collection process is highly secure, minimizing the chance for adulteration and ensuring uncompromised and reliable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Grosse Pointe, MI, accessing hair follicle testing services is hassle-free. Our extensive network ensures prompt and efficient service to meet your drug testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Grosse Pointe, MI, assures ease in ordering, conducting, and receiving hair test results. Our streamlined approach addresses privacy concerns while offering user-friendly methods for individuals and organizations.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Grosse Pointe, MI, our hair follicle tests feature affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. This combination provides companies of varied sizes with remarkable value, allowing them to make informed decisions quickly and cost-effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and efficient results in Grosse Pointe, MI. These tests excel in precision, promptly delivering results that detect a range of substances, proving essential for identifying usage patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Grosse Pointe, MI, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies. By supporting a drug-free environment, companies can reduce legal risks and promote a safer, more productive workplace culture.

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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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