Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brandywine, DE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis stands as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug markers by encapsulating them within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair offers roughly a 3-month look-back period for detecting alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, has a low likelihood of tampering, and is easy to transport.

A section of hair 1.5 inches in length with about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is perfect for both screening and confirming. For EtG tests and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, equivalent body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifies scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types (face, underarms, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for determining drug test outcomes consists of four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially introduced into the laboratory's workflow. This involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing information not included in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers a preliminary assessment for drugs of interest. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Presumptively positive samples need further confirmation.

For samples testing presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During this process, substances are drawn from hair at much lower levels than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a challenging methodology.

Any positive results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection window: Hair drug testing identifies substance use spanning up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a narrower window.
• Hard to manipulate: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result reliability.
• Reveals historical usage: It can map out drug use trends over time, beyond just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is usually costlier than other testing options.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", this test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair testing surpasses urine tests in Brandywine, DE by providing an enhanced detection accuracy. While urine tests are traditional, hair tests offer a comprehensive view of substance use.

The reliability of hair testing is unmatched, helping employers and professionals make informed choices with detailed detection.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Brandywine, DE benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window. Up to 90 days of substance history can be reviewed with a single test.

This prolonged detection capability gives companies a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use, aiding in better hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Brandywine, DE, the integrity of hair follicle testing is invaluable. These tests are tamper-resistant, significantly lowering the chance of sample adulteration.

The reliability and authenticity of results from hair follicle tests ensure trust and accuracy in substance detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations across the nation, including in Brandywine, DE. Our widespread centers ensure ease and accessibility.

The process is designed to be quick and hassle-free, offering flexibility and availability at local and national levels for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and receiving hair follicle test results in Brandywine, DE is a straightforward and confidential process. Privacy and ease of use are prioritized at every step.

Clients can trust in a seamless experience from scheduling to results, without compromising on confidentiality and security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Brandywine, DE, our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, making it accessible and economical for all businesses.

The value we provide ensures swift results and budget-friendly options, offering peace of mind without financial burden.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Brandywine, DE, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and quick results. These tests are known for their accuracy in detecting substances, making them a superior choice for reliable outcomes.

Substance detection through hair follicle tests is both swift and exact, providing the confidence needed for informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Brandywine, DE promotes workplace safety by ensuring adherence to drug-free policies. This compliance reduces legal risks for employers.

Implementing hair testing establishes peace of mind, safeguarding both employers and employees through comprehensive substance history checks.

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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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