Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plymouth, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluations have gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of substances by integrating biomarkers within the growing strands. When clipped near the scalp, hair provides a detection timeframe of roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect, resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (similar to the thickness of a standard pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is ideal for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen. Should scalp hair be lacking, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. 'Head hair' pertains solely to scalp hair, while 'body hair' includes all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in laboratory processing for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This entails confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional manual data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary review for drug presence. Although it is a cost-efficient approach to identify drug use in most cases, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legality in court. Any samples that screen as presumptively positive require further verification.

Upon a presumptively positive outcome in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. This stage isolates drugs from hair at a lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug tests:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more accurate results.
• Provides historical insight: It delivers a record of drug consumption patterns over time, not merely recent use.

Constraints:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Inconsistent results: Variables like hair color and individual growth rates can impact metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair strand rather than the follicle within the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Plymouth, MI
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection capability and reliability. Hair tests are not only harder to manipulate, but they also provide a more extended detection window, capturing drug use history more effectively.

Employers in Plymouth who implement hair testing enjoy a more comprehensive review of an individual's substance use, beyond the limited scope of urine tests. These benefits contribute significantly to maintaining a drug-free environment in workplaces and communities alike.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Plymouth, MI
Hair follicle testing provides a substantial advantage with its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This broad time frame offers employers a detailed view into the drug use history of potential candidates or existing employees.

Such an extensive look-back period allows companies in Plymouth to make informed choices about hiring and personnel management. By understanding an applicant's substance use pattern, businesses can support a safer, more productive environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Plymouth, MI
The robustness of hair follicle tests lies in their resistance to tampering. This method substantially lowers the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring that the results are reliable and beyond doubt.

For organizations in Plymouth seeking trustworthy drug testing methods, hair follicle testing offers a secure option. The likelihood of manipulating the results is nearly nonexistent, providing peace of mind and confidence to employers and stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Plymouth, MI
Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers ensures effortless access to hair follicle testing services. Whether you're located in Plymouth or elsewhere, quick and convenient testing options are always available.

The ease of accessing testing services across the country means less hassle and more efficiency for organizations and individuals alike. The commitment to nationwide coverage ensures everyone has access to reliable testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Plymouth, MI
The process of ordering, completing, and receiving hair follicle test results is both straightforward and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns.

In Plymouth, individuals can trust that their information remains secure while experiencing a user-friendly testing procedure. This simplicity ensures that all users have a seamless experience, facilitating effective drug screening practices.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Plymouth, MI
Hair follicle testing provides excellent value through competitive pricing structures and rapid result times, benefiting businesses of all sizes.

Organizations in Plymouth find peace of mind knowing they receive cost-effective services without compromising on speed or precision. The combination of affordability and quick turnaround enhances the overall testing experience for all involved.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Plymouth, MI
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing set it apart. This method offers high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing results swiftly and reliably. By choosing hair follicle testing, individuals and organizations in Plymouth can trust that their substance screening process is both precise and expedient.

Employers and individuals alike benefit from the quick turnaround time of hair follicle tests. The method's ability to deliver accurate results promptly is a testament to its efficiency, enabling informed decision-making on substance use matters.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Plymouth, MI
By adopting hair follicle testing, companies ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal consequences and bolstering workplace safety.

In Plymouth, the assurance of compliance brings calmness and a secure working atmosphere. Employers can trust in their efforts to maintain a safe environment while reducing risks associated with substance misuse.

Drug Testing Near Plymouth, MI

Wayne, MI

Garden City, MI

Garden, MI

Novi, MI

Salem, MI

Sheldon, MI

Livonia, MI

Westland, MI

Canton, MI

Northville, MI

Plymouth Township, 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.

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