Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Aspen Hill, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reflect up to a three-month usage period for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, fairly tamper-proof, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch segment, gathering roughly 200 strands of hair (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both initial tests and confirmations. For EtG enhancements or over 10-panel tests, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended to measure the specimen. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" pertains specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing drug test outcomes in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s protocol. This stage ensures that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a sequential LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening acts as an initial swift assay for substances of abuse. Though cost-efficient for excluding drug use in many samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation for legal credibility. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening warrant additional validation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is retracted from the original sample for Extraction. Here, the hair is prepared to isolate drugs at concentrations far lower than other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), marking hair drug testing as a challenge to conduct.

Confirmed positive results from screening are further analyzed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The full lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the oversight of CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair protocols alongside ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with more limited detection times.
• Difficulty to deceive: Altering a hair test outcome is notably hard, ensuring more reliable results.
• Presents historical usage: It tracks a drug use pattern over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Recent use is undetectable: Drugs typically become detectable in hair within 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can vary due to nuances like hair color and growth rates.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," this test evaluates the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Aspen Hill, MD, hair follicle testing demonstrates clear advantages over traditional urine testing methods. With enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, hair tests outshine urine tests significantly.

Hair testing possesses a superior ability to detect drugs due to its extended detection period. This makes it a decisive choice for those looking to maintain a stringent drug-free environment with minimal risk of false negatives associated with urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

One of the defining features of hair follicle testing in Aspen Hill, MD, is its extensive detection window, covering up to 90 days. This provides employers with a holistic view of an individual's substance history.

This long detection window is invaluable for employers looking to assess whether a prospective or current employee maintains a drug-free lifestyle. It offers a thorough evaluation beyond recent drug intake.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Aspen Hill, MD, is a tamper-resistant method, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. Such tests offer unassailable and trustworthy results.

Compared to other drug testing methods, hair tests are notoriously difficult to cheat, ensuring the collected sample represents an accurate depiction of the individual's substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide locations, including facilities in Aspen Hill, MD, enabling seamless access to hair follicle testing services.

Whether you require local or national testing, our centers are strategically positioned for quick and hassle-free testing services to meet your specific needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Aspen Hill, MD, is simple and confidential. From the initial order to the collection and the receipt of test results, every step is designed to respect your privacy.

This uncomplicated process ensures ease and confidentiality, allowing you to take advantage of our testing services with full assurance of privacy protection.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Aspen Hill, MD, Accredited Drug Testing emphasizes affordable pricing and prompt result delivery, ensuring businesses of all sizes can benefit from cost-effective drug testing services.

The combination of competitive pricing and swift turnaround times offers significant value and supports timely decision-making for employers requiring quick verification of employee substance use.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Aspen Hill, MD, provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are known for their high precision and can swiftly detect various substances in a person's system.

The speed and accuracy of hair testing make it a preferred choice for many seeking to establish a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use over time. Efficiency and accuracy are key advantages offered by this testing method.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Aspen Hill, MD, find peace of mind using hair follicle testing for compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method helps minimize legal risks while promoting a safer, more productive work environment.

Implementing hair testing ensures adherence to company policies, reassures stakeholders, and protects the integrity of the workplace.

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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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