Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Epworth, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands retain biomarkers throughout their growth, offering an extended history of substances like alcohol and drugs. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal substance use up to roughly a 90-day timeframe. Collecting hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and simple to mail.

An ideal sample size for examination and validation is a 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler's scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair isn't accessible, the same quantity of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The process for analyzing a drug test result includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into a lab's system. This ensures the sample was sealed and transported securely, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any other data not already included by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use for most samples, any positive screening results need confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples showing probable positive results during Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a probable positive, additional hair is utilized from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. This step extracts drugs from hair at lower concentrations versus other techniques (like urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of positive Screening results involves GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples showing presumption of positivity are cleansed as necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify usage up to 90 days, whereas urine tests detect over shorter durations.
• Difficult to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, increasing result accuracy.
• Offers chronological data: It shows a timeline of drug use, not just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Cannot determine recent use: Drugs appear in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Hair color and individual growth may affect metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In North Epworth, MI, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering a more accurate and reliable detection of drug use. Hair tests offer extended detection periods, making them superior for screening long-term drug consumption, such as up to 90 days, unlike more traditional urine tests with shorter detection windows.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle test in North Epworth, MI, provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This comprehensive view enables employers to make informed decisions about current or potential employees based on a longer substance use history than other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In North Epworth, MI, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant method of drug screening. This approach significantly reduces the potential for sample adulteration, providing reliable and uncontestable results that ensure the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations throughout North Epworth, MI, and nationwide. This network of centers offers easy, hassle-free access to testing services, allowing clients to efficiently manage their testing needs with minimal inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in North Epworth, MI, is simple and confidential. From ordering a test to obtaining results, the streamlined procedure ensures privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns about confidentiality while offering clear and straightforward steps for users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In North Epworth, MI, we offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests, making our services an affordable choice for companies of all sizes. This affordability, coupled with our commitment to swift result delivery, ensures excellent value for businesses aiming to maintain high standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In North Epworth, MI, the hair follicle drug test stands out for its speed and precision. By accurately identifying substance use, it provides quick and reliable results that employers and individuals can trust, ensuring a high level of detection for a range of substances.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in North Epworth, MI, aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thus reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. By utilizing these tests, companies gain peace of mind knowing they follow regulations and ensure a secure work environment for all employees.

Drug Testing Near North Epworth, MI

Eastlake, MI

East Lake, MI

Hart, MI

Manistee Lake, MI

Stronach, MI

Filer City, MI

Walhalla, MI

Free Soil, MI

Fountain, MI

Mason, MI

Pentwater, MI

Custer, MI

Scottville, MI

Au Sable, MI

Ludington, 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