Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brinklow, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a compelling method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. Collection is straightforward, the chance of tampering is minimal, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be acquired, a comparable amount of body hair might be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. The term body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process confirms that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs. While Screening offers a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be substantiated to be valid in court. Any samples clinically positive in Screening mandate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be clinically positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to conduct.

The confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All clinically positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
• High difficulty to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is incredibly challenging, resulting in more precise results.
• Historical usage information: It can outline a pattern of drug consumption over a duration, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become visible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Brinklow, MD, hair follicle testing substantially outperforms traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers enhanced accuracy in detecting substances, establishing a more reliable method to verify drug use.

Employers seeking to reinforce their drug-free policies find hair testing indispensable, as it spans a wider detection window compared to urine tests, offering deeper insights into substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Brinklow, MD provides a long detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This extensive timeline offers a comprehensive review of an individual's substance history.

Employers benefit from this expanded detection window, obtaining a clearer understanding of potential or current employees’ habits, contributing to informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The integrity of hair follicle tests in Brinklow, MD is unparalleled, largely due to their resistance to manipulation. This testing method reduces the chance of sample tampering, ensuring reliable results.

With the rigorous collection process, hair testing stands as a robust choice for safeguarding against falsified results, providing trustworthy data for companies and legal authorities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access in Brinklow, MD with nationwide and local testing centers. This network facilitates easy and hassle-free testing services wherever needed.

Our expansive location coverage guarantees businesses and individuals can quickly access testing facilities, streamlining the process significantly.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Brinklow, MD, the process for hair follicle testing is exceptionally simple and confidential. Clients can easily order tests and receive results, all while ensuring privacy throughout.

Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes discretion and ease, providing a seamless experience from arranging the test to obtaining trustworthy results, addressing any privacy concerns users may have.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Brinklow, MD, hair follicle testing is available with competitive pricing and swift turnaround, offering outstanding value. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from cost-effective, efficient testing services.

The affordability, combined with rapid results, provides companies with exceptional cost management and decision-making support, ensuring both financial and operational peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and reliability of hair follicle drug testing make it a superior choice in Brinklow, MD. Boasting remarkable detection capabilities, hair tests effectively identify substances, offering fast, credible results.

With hair testing, results are delivered with high accuracy, ensuring organizations can trust the findings. The process is accelerated, aiding employers and authorities in making well-informed decisions promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Brinklow, MD, utilizing hair follicle tests supports compliance with drug-free workplace mandates, enhancing safety and reducing liability risks. Employers gain peace of mind, knowing they uphold regulatory standards.

Implementing hair testing promotes a safer working environment, helps avert potential legal concerns, and strengthens policy adherence across various industries.

Drug Testing Near Brinklow, MD

Norbeck, MD

Cloverly, MD

Fairview, MD

Clarksville, MD

Mount Zion, MD

Layhill, MD

Sunshine, MD

Spencerville, MD

Highland, MD

Olney, MD

Norwood, MD

Brookeville, MD

Brighton, MD

Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD

Sandy Spring, MD

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