Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cedarhurst, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means of detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers in the hairs as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of around three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, somewhat hard to falsify, and straightforward to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those over 10-panel tests, it is ideal to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The crucial steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary handling of a specimen into a laboratory system. This includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a fast preliminary check for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is an economical way to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for it to be valid in court. Samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the toughest methods to conduct.

Any positive Screening outcomes must undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives are washed as necessary before Confirmation. The whole process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed in line with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screens can reveal drug involvement for as many as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Cheating is unlikely: It is tough to falsify a hair drug examination, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers chronological data: It can display a pattern of drug consumption spanning a period rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drug substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically carry a higher cost compared to other testing methods.
• Result inconsistencies: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the testing procedure involves the hair strand rather than the hair follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Cedarhurst, MD, hair follicle testing is increasingly favored over urine testing due to its superior ability to pinpoint substance use. Hair tests typically provide a more accurate reflection, as they capture a longer period of drug consumption history. This method is less susceptible to manipulation, thus, offering a more reliable alternative for detecting drug use.

Extended Detection Window

In Cedarhurst, MD, one remarkable advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. This method can trace drug use activities up to 90 days prior, providing employers an extensive overview of an individual's substance history, which is indispensable for making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Cedarhurst, MD, offers an inherently tamper-resistant approach to drug screening. By cutting a small sample of hair, this method minimizes opportunities for adulteration, ensuring that results remain consistent and credible, which is critical for maintaining trust in drug-free environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Cedarhurst, MD benefits from the convenience of our nationwide testing locations. These centers are strategically positioned to provide straightforward and stress-free access to drug testing services, ensuring timely and efficient processing for individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Cedarhurst, MD is both simple and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving results, the procedure is designed to protect personal privacy while offering an easy-to-follow pathway, smoothing any apprehensions regarding privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For those in Cedarhurst, MD, hair follicle testing boasts affordable pricing and a swift turnaround. Our competitive pricing structures ensure that companies of all sizes receive excellent value, along with the rapid delivery of results, which enhances overall peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cedarhurst, MD, hair follicle tests are celebrated for their prompt and precise results. Such tests deliver a high level of accuracy by systematically identifying substances within the hair shaft. This precision guarantees swift and reliable results, reinforcing the integrity of drug testing for employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cedarhurst, MD, find compliance and peace of mind in adopting hair follicle testing. This approach aligns with workplace drug-free policies, significantly mitigating legal ramifications and fostering a culture of safety and responsibility among the workforce.

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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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