Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chesterville, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair documents a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeframe of up to approximately 90 days for alcohol and other substances. It's easy to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When referring to head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. It involves confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Any samples that appear positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely difficult, ensuring more accurate results.
• Offers historical insight: It can indicate a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite frequently being termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Chesterville, MD, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing due to its superior detection capabilities. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests offer greater accuracy and reliability, making them invaluable for employers seeking comprehensive results.

The advantages of hair testing include a longer detection period and more robust reliability. This is crucial for employers implementing drug-free policies and looking for trustworthy results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an impressive detection window, covering up to 90 days of substance use history. This period gives employers in Chesterville, MD, a thorough overview of an individual's drug habits.

Such an extended detection range is unmatched, allowing companies to better understand an applicant's or employee's past drug use, making it ideal for long-term insight into substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout features of hair follicle tests in Chesterville, MD, is its tamper-resistant method. This approach significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, providing trustworthy results.

Hair tests are less vulnerable to tampering compared to other testing methods, ensuring reliable and unquestionable outcomes. This benefit enhances their appeal among organizations seeking consistent results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access for individuals in Chesterville, MD. Our nationwide presence simplifies the testing process, making it quick and convenient for all users.

The accessibility of our centers ensures clients receive prompt services without hassle, contributing to a seamless and efficient experience across the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Chesterville, MD, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results is streamlined, addressing privacy and ease of use.

Customers can trust that their information remains confidential throughout the testing procedure, making the process straightforward and secure, providing an enhanced client experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Chesterville, MD, presents excellent value. Our affordable pricing structures suit businesses of all sizes.

Fast turnaround ensures customers receive results swiftly, contributing to a seamless experience while reinforcing our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Chesterville, MD is known for its speed and accuracy. The precision it offers is unparalleled, making it the top choice for employers and individuals looking to detect substance use.

Using a hair follicle test ensures fast results, with its ability to identify various drugs in the system with high precision. The results' reliability is a significant benefit, appealing to many organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Chesterville, MD, gain significant peace of mind and ensure policy compliance with hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks.

Implementation of hair testing enhances workplace safety and compliance, proving beneficial for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free environment while mitigating potential issues.

Drug Testing Near Chesterville, MD

Barclay, MD

Worton, MD

Chestertown, MD

Cecilton, MD

District 4, MD

Kingstown, MD

Lynch, MD

Oldtown, MD

Still Pond, MD

Kentmore Park, MD

Sudlersville, MD

Galena, MD

Morgnec, MD

Kennedyville, MD

Millington, 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