Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brighton, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and substance use by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can provide an estimated 3-month detection period for alcohol and substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both testing and verification. For EtG, additional testing, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be acquired. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug test results involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial process of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional information not entered by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening relates to a preliminary quick assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be substantiated for courtroom eligibility. Samples with presumptive positive screening require further confirmation.

Samples with presumptive positives at the Screening phase undergo more hair extraction from the original specimen for the Extraction process. Here, substances are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most intricate methodology.

Positive screening confirmation is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The comprehensive laboratory progression from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 certification standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug utilization for as long as 90 days, while urine tests have a more limited detection scope.
• Cheating deterrent: Hair drug testing is notably challenging to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological data: It can exhibit a historical pattern of drug use over an extended timeline, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: It requires 5-7 days for drugs to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Aspects like hair pigment and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the examination targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Brighton, MD, often supersedes traditional urine exams due to several advantages. Hair tests boast superior detection capabilities, identifying substance use with greater precision and less chance of errors.

Compared to urine tests, hair analysis offers more reliable outcomes. It efficiently uncovers drug usage, giving employers a better tool for enforcing zero-tolerance policies without compromising accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Brighton, MD, reveals drug use over a much broader time span, stretching up to 90 days. This extended detection window is invaluable for employers, revealing an individual's substance history comprehensively.

Employers seeking detailed insights into an applicant's past substance use find hair tests indispensable. With their long-term detection capability, these tests offer a more complete picture compared to other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test in Brighton, MD, is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature. It significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, delivering trustworthy and undeniable results.

By reducing the chances of interference or deception, hair testing assures accuracy. This method’s robustness against tampering makes it a preferred choice for reliable drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide presence, including Brighton, MD, ensures accessible and stress-free testing services for everyone. Our widespread testing centers guarantee ease of access, making it convenient for individuals and organizations alike.

With local and national locations, we can promptly cater to various testing needs, providing unparalleled convenience for all seeking drug testing facilities.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Brighton, MD, remains simple and confidential. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results are streamlined, emphasizing privacy and ease of use.

This unobtrusive process addresses any apprehensions about privacy, providing an efficient and discrete testing experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Brighton, MD, offer exceptional value for businesses of any size. Hair follicle testing provides an economical yet reliable solution for comprehensive drug screening.

These cost-effective services ensure businesses receive quality testing without compromising on budget, fostering peace of mind through timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Brighton, Maryland, hair follicle drug testing provides precise and quick outcomes. This method stands out due to its high reliability in spotting substance use, granting individuals and businesses peace of mind through the accurate results it delivers.

The efficiency of hair tests stems from their rapid processing times, making them an ideal choice for those requiring fast and dependable drug screening. These tests minimize errors, ensuring trustworthy results for all.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Brighton, MD, helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies, easing legal concerns and boosting safety standards.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing that this testing method supports policy adherence while reducing liability risks, ensuring a secure work environment.

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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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