Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stanton, MI

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair as a testing medium has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of its growth. When hair is trimmed close to the scalp, it offers a detection period for alcohol and drugs stretching up to roughly 90 days. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering, and is convenient for transport.

An optimal specimen for analysis consists of a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands — roughly equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil — cut nearest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair. For tests that include EtG add-ons or exceed 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is recommended to weigh this specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent volume of body hair can be taken. Here, head hair strictly implies scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other types like facial or axillary hair.

Overview of the Procedure

The processing of hair sample drug tests in the lab consists of four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially registered into the lab's system. This step involves checking if the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary inspection for substance abuse. Although Screening is a low-cost method to eliminate drug use in most specimens, any positive outcome necessitates further confirmation to be legitimate in legal contexts. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require a subsequent confirmation process.

In cases where Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare it for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are isolated from the hair at considerably lower concentrations than those found in other methods such as urine or oral fluid assays, which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging technique.

Positive results from Screening are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples regarded as presumptive positives undergo washing before final confirmation as needed. The entire testing process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine testing which offers a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Manipulating results in a hair drug test is highly challenging, thereby enhancing its accuracy.
• Chronological data: It provides insights into drug use patterns over extended periods rather than merely recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• No recent use detection: Drugs become identifiable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing incurs higher costs compared to other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be influenced by factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth.

Note: Commonly dubbed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the underlying follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Stanton, MI, several benefits become evident. Superior Detection is a key advantage, as hair testing is renowned for its ability to uncover drug use over a broader timeframe. This method provides reliable results, significantly reducing the chances of evasion. Employers and professionals benefit from enhanced accuracy and trust in the testing process.

Extended Detection Window

In Stanton, MI, the advantage of hair follicle testing lies in its extended detection window. Unlike other tests, hair follicle assessments can reveal substance use for up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive profile of an individual’s history. For employers, this long-term view is invaluable, as it provides insight into the sustained drug habits of employees or applicants, aiding in informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The reliability of hair follicle testing in Stanton, MI, is anchored in its tamper-resistant design. This testing method all but eliminates the potential for sample tampering, ensuring results remain unquestionable. Hair samples are challenging to alter, and the strict collection process further safeguards against manipulation. Employers can thus trust in the authenticity and accuracy of the results procured.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network of testing centers makes drug testing accessible and hassle-free in Stanton, MI, and beyond. Whether locally or across the country, our facilities are positioned for convenience, ensuring that clients have prompt and seamless access to the testing services they need. This even distribution of centers guarantees timely testing processes, directly benefitting businesses and individuals.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle drug testing in Stanton, MI, boasts a simple and confidential process. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, the procedure respects personal privacy while remaining straightforward. Clients benefit from the ease of use and the assurance that their privacy is prioritized, making hair testing a comfortable choice for all involved parties.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times define our hair follicle testing services in Stanton, MI. Catering to businesses of all scales, we offer exceptional value without compromising on the quality of results. Whether for large corporations or smaller entities, our pricing structure and rapid feedback ensure businesses can act promptly and with financial ease.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results are essential for drug testing, and hair follicle tests deliver precisely that in Stanton, MI. The meticulous nature of this method ensures that results are not only precise but also captured swiftly, allowing organizations to proceed with confidence. Hair testing is acclaimed for its high accuracy in tracing drug consumption, making it a trusted choice for accurate substance use verification.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Stanton, MI, using hair follicle tests means adhering to compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method does more than just ensure compliance; it also significantly heightens workplace safety and mitigates potential legal risks. By choosing hair testing, employers can enjoy peace of mind, knowing they are upholding a secure and compliant work environment for all.

Drug Testing Near Stanton, MI

Middleton, MI

Smyrna, MI

Hubbardston, MI

Winn, MI

Elwell, MI

Belding, MI

Carson City, MI

Trufant, MI

Greenville, MI

Vestaburg, MI

Edmore, MI

McBride, 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