Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Bloomfield Township, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 strands (approximately matching the thickness of a #2 pencil) at the scalp can provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale is advised for weighing the specimen. If head hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically talking about scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in a laboratory involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This involves ensuring the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in court. All samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

When a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), thus rendering hair drug screening one of the harder methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, rendering the results more reliable.
• Offers historical insight: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug use over a duration, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In West Bloomfield Township, MI, individuals and organizations are turning more to hair follicle testing for its benefits over traditional urine tests. Hair testing boasts a superior detection rate and reliability unmatched by urine tests.

• Longer detection windows capture a more comprehensive history.
• Less prone to tampering compared to urine samples.
• Minimal invasiveness makes it favorable for individuals.

Extended Detection Window

Extended detection windows make hair follicle testing in West Bloomfield Township, MI, particularly useful for employers. Hair tests can detect drug use over a substantial period of up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive overview of substance use history.

• Showcases drug-use patterns over several months.
• Gives employers valuable insights on potential hires.
• Aids in ongoing employee substance monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In West Bloomfield Township, MI, tamper-resistant hair follicle tests greatly diminish sample adulteration risks, making results both reliable and unquestionable.

• Observed collection minimizes tampering opportunities.
• Hair samples are less easily contaminated.
• Ensure compliance and reliability for crucial decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Benefit from convenient nationwide testing locations including local options in West Bloomfield Township, MI. Our expansive network ensures hassle-free access to reliable testing services.

• Fast access to testing facilities.
• Convenient locations ease logistics.
• Nationwide reach supports widespread testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In West Bloomfield Township, MI, simplicity and confidentiality define the hair follicle testing process. The straightforward, private procedure addresses privacy concerns and ensures seamless experience for all clients.

• Effortless test ordering and collection.
• Confidential handling at all stages.
• Prompt and private results delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Residents in West Bloomfield Township, MI, enjoy affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle tests, ensuring excellent value.

• Cost-effective testing solutions.
• Fast test processing for quick results.
• Competitive pricing benefits businesses of sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in West Bloomfield Township, MI, provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests in detecting substance use is unparalleled, offering clients in the area peace of mind knowing they receive dependable outcomes.

• Speedy results turnarounds ensure no time is wasted.
• Accuracy in results helps in making informed decisions.
• Reliability in testing rids doubts on substance use history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in West Bloomfield Township, MI, gain compliance and peace of mind by using hair follicle drug testing, aligning with drug-free workplace policies while reducing legal risks and fostering a safe working environment.

• Enhances workplace safety and compliance.
• Reduces potential legal liabilities.
• Promotes a drug-free work culture.

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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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