Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Clarksburg, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying substance usage, including drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers within its fibers. When taken near the scalp, it can offer detection of substances such as alcohol and drugs for around three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively hard, and shipment is convenient.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp yields about 100mg, which is optimal for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests over 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is absent, a similar amount of body hair may be used. By head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair, such as facial or axillary.

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the lab processing of a substance test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the sample’s initial integration into a lab's system. This phase ensures the sample’s seal and proper shipment, assigns it a randomly generated LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input lacking from a digital chain of custody.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. It is a cost-efficient method to exclude substance use in most samples; however, a positive screen must be verified to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the main sample for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower intensities compared to other techniques (such as urine or saliva), making hair substance screening particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can find substance use for up to 90 days, versus urine tests with a lesser detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely hard, which leads to more reliable outcomes.
• Shows trend data: It can display a pattern of substance use over an extended period, not just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• No detection of recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result discrepancies: Hair characteristics like color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Clarksburg, MD. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy over urine tests. The follicle analysis has a longer detection window and is less susceptible to tampering, making it a superior choice. Employers in Clarksburg are given dependable results, ensuring that substance use is accurately monitored, enhancing overall workplace safety and trust.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Clarksburg, MD. The hair follicle test presents a broader detection timeline of up to 90 days. This extended window provides employers with a comprehensive view of a candidate or employee's substance history. It's a valuable tool for businesses in Clarksburg to ensure a long-term commitment to workplace safety and policy compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Clarksburg, MD. Hair follicle tests significantly cut down the chances of sample adulteration. This makes them a preferred choice for reliable and authentic results in Clarksburg. The hair-testing method's resistance to tampering ensures employers receive unquestionable results, protecting the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Clarksburg, MD. Accredited Drug Testing offers an extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including Clarksburg. This ease of access facilitates quick and hassle-free testing for employers and individuals alike, making it simple to uphold robust drug-free policies with minimal inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Clarksburg, MD. Our process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair testing results is straightforward and ensures confidentiality. We address privacy concerns effectively, ensuring that individuals and businesses in Clarksburg can rely on efficient and discreet service without sacrificing ease-of-use or integrity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Clarksburg, MD. We offer competitive pricing structures and a swift turnaround time for hair follicle tests. Clients in Clarksburg benefit from excellent value, enjoying both the cost-effectiveness of our services and the prompt delivery of reliable results, meeting the needs of businesses of varied sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Clarksburg, MD. Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled speed and accuracy. Known for their high precision, these tests swiftly detect substance usage. Their reliability ensures that employers in Clarksburg can trust the results to reflect true substance history, allowing for quick decisions and maintaining a safe workplace environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Clarksburg, MD. Implementing hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks, and enhancing safety. Employers in Clarksburg gain peace of mind knowing they are fostering a compliant and secure environment. It assures stakeholders of a steadfast commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace.

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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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