Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Naubinway, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves the initial entry of a sample into the lab’s system. This procedure includes confirming the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

When a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a particularly challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection window.
• Hard to deceive: It is exceedingly difficult to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It offers a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing over urine tests in Naubinway, MI? For starters, detection accuracy is notably higher in hair testing. Hair tests provide a detailed substance use timeline, unlike urine which only covers recent use. Moreover, the risk of test evasion is minimized, debuting as the superior choice for employers who seek an accurate portrayal of an individual’s drug use history.
The reliability of hair tests surpasses that of more traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

One of the strongest benefits of hair follicle testing in Naubinway, MI, is the extended detection window. By capturing a 90-day history, employers gain insight into an individual's long-term substance use behaviors. This offers a comprehensive picture that is particularly valuable during the hiring process, allowing decision-makers to better assess the potential risks associated with new hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Naubinway, MI, ensure tamper-resistant results. The nature of this test makes it challenging for individuals to modify the sample. Unlike substances like urine, which can be easily adulterated, hair provides a stable matrix where drugs and alcohol are reliably detectable. This reduces the likelihood of false negatives and instills greater confidence in the testing protocol.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing facilitates nationwide testing convenience from Naubinway, MI. Our extensive network ensures you have ready access to testing services, eliminating the need for lengthy travel. Whether local or across the country, our centers are equipped to provide prompt and professional hair follicle testing, underscoring our commitment to accessible and hassle-free service.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Naubinway, MI, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving your results, each step maintains privacy and ease of use. By prioritizing client confidentiality, we address concerns surrounding sensitive data, ensuring that those involved experience a seamless and discreet testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing service in Naubinway, MI, is known for being affordable and efficient. Competitive pricing structures mean businesses of all sizes can accommodate testing costs without burdensome expenses. Coupled with quick turnaround times, our service ensures rapid results, contributing to excellent value and operational peace of mind for any organization.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Naubinway, MI, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its fast and accurate results. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests provide a detailed account of substance use, with precision that is hard to match. This reliability ensures that individuals are correctly assessed, making them a dependable choice for both employers and legal entities.
The swift processing times of hair follicle tests mean quick turnaround and prompt decision-making capabilities.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Naubinway, MI, who implement hair follicle tests can achieve significant compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Minimizing potential legal risks through reliable testing procedures fosters a safe work environment. This method not only bolsters a company's image of due diligence but also offers peace of mind, knowing the screenings align with federal and state regulations.

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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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