Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Midland Park, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and substances by capturing biomarkers within the expanding hair fiber. When collected near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core stages in processing a drug test result at the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial task of entering a sample into a laboratory's system. It entails ensuring that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not provided by a digital chain of custody process.

Screening entails a preliminary swift verification for drugs of misuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is taken from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a reduced detection period.
• Difficulty in deceiving: Manipulating a hair drug test is very difficult, leading to more precise results.
• Tracks usage trends: It gives a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It typically requires about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs compared to other testing approaches.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Midland Park, MI is clear as hair testing boasts superior detection capability and reliability. Compared to traditional urine tests, it not only ensures more precise results but also a more extensive detection period.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Midland Park, MI provides a significant advantage as hair follicle testing captures drug use over a longer duration, usually up to 90 days. This method offers employers a detailed view of a candidate’s substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Midland Park, MI highlights the security of hair follicle tests. These tests reduce the risk of sample tampering, providing dependable results that are difficult to dispute.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations alongside local availability in Midland Park, MI make testing a breeze. Enjoy quick and effortless access to our numerous nationwide centers for efficient service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Midland Park, MI ensures that from ordering to receiving results, every step is seamless and private. We address privacy concerns with a straightforward approach that ensures ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Midland Park, MI stands out with our competitive pricing and swift result delivery. Our value-driven services cater to businesses of various sizes with prompt and cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Midland Park, MI are crucial, and hair follicle drug tests excel in precision. Their speed and accuracy in detecting substance use make them a favored choice for many, ensuring reliable results every time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Midland Park, MI is achieved through hair follicle testing. It supports adherence to workplace drug policies, minimizing legal concerns and elevating workplace safety standards.

Drug Testing Near Midland Park, MI

Battle Creek, MI

Dowling, MI

Hope, MI

Climax, MI

Eastwood, MI

Parchment, MI

Comstock Northwest, MI

Greater Galesburg, MI

Delton, MI

Galesburg, MI

Level Park-Oak Park, MI

Level Park, MI

Richland, MI

Hickory Corners, MI

South Gull Lake, 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