Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cheltenham, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is seen as a significant method for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair offers an extended timeline for substance detection by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can indicate drug and alcohol use over a period of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and can be easily transported.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches, with approximately 200 strands (approximating the diameter of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp, provides a 100mg sample, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, and those beyond 10-panel testing, a sample of 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair not be accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair imply only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of laboratory analysis of a drug test result includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is prepared for entry into the laboratory’s database, ensuring it was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any data not included in an electronic custody chain.

Screening serves as an initial, efficient method to identify potential drug use. Although screening is cost-effective for eliminating drug usage in many samples, any positive results require subsequent confirmation for legal validation. Presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate secondary verification.

Upon a presumptive positive in the Screening process, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted at lower concentrations than other methods like urine or oral fluid, marking hair drug screening as a more intricate method.

Confirmation for positive Screening results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives undergo a wash before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredits to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection span.
• Higher difficulty to tamper: Tampering with a hair drug test is challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Historical insight: Hair tests reveal drug use patterns over time, rather than immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection of recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels found in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Cheltenham, MD, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in reliability and detection accuracy.

• Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers a prolonged detection window.
• This method minimizes cheating, as samples are tamper-proof.

Employers value hair tests for their ability to confirm a consistent pattern of substance use, aiding in informed decision-making. While urine tests are useful for recent consumption, hair tests cover the long-term, making them a more thorough option.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Cheltenham, MD, offers an unparalleled extended detection window, capturing substance use over 90 days. This comprehensive analysis provides employers with a detailed view of an applicant's or employee's drug history, enabling informed choices.

With up to 90 days of detectable history, hair tests provide a thorough understanding of substance patterns, essential for companies enforcing drug-free policies and other regulatory standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Cheltenham, MD, hair follicle drug tests offer a tamper-resistant method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. Their robustness lies in the difficulty of faking results, providing assured reliability and steadfastness.

With this form of testing, individuals and organizations can trust in the accuracy and legitimacy of the results, free from concerns about sample contamination or manipulation, thus ensuring dependable findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

We offer convenient testing services in Cheltenham, MD, supported by extensive nationwide centers. This ensures quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing, making it easy for individuals and employers to secure the services they need.

Local and nationwide availability guarantees comprehensive coverage, reducing travel time and ensuring efficient testing procedures, enhancing the overall experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cheltenham, MD, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential.

• Ordering, sampling, and receiving results is streamlined.
• Privacy is prioritized throughout the process.

The straightforward approach guarantees a user-friendly experience, addressing privacy concerns and enhancing ease of use for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Cheltenham, MD, our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times on hair follicle testing offer exceptional value. This affordability makes our services accessible to companies of all sizes, without compromising on quality or speed.

Organizations benefit from fast processing and competitive rates, ensuring they receive excellent service that aligns with their budget, reinforcing trust and satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cheltenham, MD, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and swiftness in identifying substance use. The superior accuracy of these tests makes them a preferred choice, allowing for detailed analysis that consistently delivers undeniable results.

Through rapid processing and precise detection, hair follicle tests provide reliable data swiftly. This ensures individuals and organizations receive timely insights into substance use, reinforcing their trust in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cheltenham, MD, find peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, fostering a secure working environment.

Using hair testing to uphold policy standards boosts organizational integrity and trust, resulting in a safer and more compliant atmosphere that benefits everyone involved.

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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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