Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eckhart Mines, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use. Hair traps biomarkers in its fibers, providing a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs. When sampled close to the head, hair can offer approximately a 3-month detection period for these substances. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil) taken nearest the scalp, yields 100mg, the ideal amount for testing. For additional tests such as EtG, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is advised. If head hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first processing step where the sample is entered into the lab's system. This process verifies the sample's seal and proper shipment, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry that a digital chain of custody system does not include.

Screening provides a preliminary evaluation for substances. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, only confirmed positive screens are acceptable in legal contexts. Samples with positive initial screens need further confirmation.

If a sample shows a positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are drawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in urine or saliva, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of positive Screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that appear positive initially are washed as required before confirmation. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thus providing more accurate results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a timeline of substance use, not just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can fluctuate due to hair color and individual hair growth differences.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand, not the scalp's follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eckhart Mines, MD
Hair testing stands out over urine tests due to its superior accuracy in detecting long-term drug use. This method prevents cheating and produces reliable results that employers trust more than traditional urine samples.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eckhart Mines, MD
Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage with its ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior, providing employers with a detailed account of an individual's past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eckhart Mines, MD
Hair follicle tests markedly lower the risk of sample tampering, offering results that are difficult to question and ensuring that the integrity of the testing process remains intact.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eckhart Mines, MD
With a network of nationwide testing centers, individuals can access testing services efficiently and conveniently, ensuring a straightforward process for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eckhart Mines, MD
The process for engaging in hair follicle testing is straightforward and private, promising confidentiality and ease from ordering to results delivery, thus safeguarding personal privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eckhart Mines, MD
Offering competitive pricing and quick result times, this provides a great value for businesses seeking efficient and economical drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eckhart Mines, MD
Hair follicle drug tests yield rapid and precise results, ensuring accuracy in detecting substance use. This has positioned them as a reliable solution for timely drug testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eckhart Mines, MD
Employers benefit from hair follicle testing by maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thus diminishing legal risks and boosting workplace safety and security.

Drug Testing Near Eckhart Mines, MD

La Vale, MD

Barrelville, MD

Ocean, MD

Woodland, MD

Carlos, MD

National, MD

Mount Savage, MD

Shaft, MD

Midlothian, MD

Vale Summit, MD

Zihlman, MD

Frostburg, MD

Grahamtown, MD

Clarysville, 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