Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Millington, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as a valuable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Obtaining hair near the scalp can reveal a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is uncomplicated to collect, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. We advise weighing the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. When considering head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the first step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process involves checking that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in court. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation in the Extraction process. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity undergo washing before confirmation based on necessity. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory procedure is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which cover a shorter period.
• Difficulty in evasion: Avoiding detection in a hair drug test is extremely tough, ensuring higher accuracy in results.
• Offers past usage data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug usage over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than alternative drug testing methods.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Millington, MI, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine testing in several ways. Their ability to detect a wider range of substances with greater accuracy makes them ideal for workplaces with stringent drug policies. Hair testing minimizes false negatives and the influence of temporary abstinence, unlike urine tests.

Hair testing's superior detection accuracy offers a longer window of substance use observation, providing a more comprehensive overview of an individual's drug history. This advantage is crucial for employers seeking effective drug use screening methods.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of up to 90 days makes hair follicle testing a powerful method in Millington, MI. This capability provides employers with a full picture of an employee's or applicant's drug history, which is particularly valuable for roles requiring high levels of trust and responsibility.

Employers gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use over a prolonged period, allowing for better-informed hiring and retention decisions, ultimately enhancing workplace safety and productivity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing is a robust method that significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering in Millington, MI. This method's design naturally resists adulteration attempts, providing confident and trustworthy results that employers can rely on.

The integrity of hair tests ensures that any attempts to alter or falsify results are effectively countered, reinforcing the credibility of the testing process and providing peace of mind regarding its outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers a wide network of testing locations nationwide, including in Millington, MI, providing easy and hassle-free access to our services. Our extensive availability ensures that clients can promptly schedule and undertake tests at their convenience.

This widespread presence simplifies the testing process for both companies and individuals, offering a seamless experience that prioritizes ease and efficiency in accessing necessary testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our drug testing process in Millington, MI, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes user privacy and ease of use, ensuring a smooth and discreet experience for all clients involved.

Clients can take comfort in knowing that their personal information is handled with the utmost care, and results are communicated securely, adhering to strict confidentiality protocols.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures in Millington, MI, ensuring affordability without compromising quality. Our fast turnaround times further enhance value, providing timely results that support informed decision-making for companies.

We cater to organizations of all sizes by offering cost-effective drug testing options, empowering them with reliable results that suit their budgets and operational needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests make them an excellent choice in Millington, MI. With high accuracy in detecting various substances, these tests ensure reliable results swiftly, benefiting both employers and individuals in timely decision-making processes.

The advanced technology used in hair testing allows for the rapid return of results, offering peace of mind to employers. This reliability facilitates swift action to uphold workplace safety and compliance with drug-free policies.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Millington, MI, not only ensures compliance with workplace drug policies but also minimizes legal risks associated with drug abuse. Employers can maintain a safe and productive work environment by proactively addressing potential substance issues.

This testing method offers peace of mind by reinforcing organizational safety standards, and provides protection against liabilities, fostering a culture of safety and responsibility in the 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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