Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edgemont, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an influential technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate indicators within their growing fibers, providing a prolonged record of alcohol and drug presence. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of nearly 3 months for drugs and alcohol. The collection process is straightforward, making it challenging to tamper with and simple to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp ensures 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. Measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. Note that head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The key procedures in the lab analysis of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing phase in a laboratory’s system, which encompasses confirming the proper sealing and dispatch of the specimen, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a rapid preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in the bulk of samples, any positive screen must be verified to be valid for court proceedings. Any samples that presumptively test positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

For samples that test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs at a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Challenge to tamper with: Tampering with a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, thus enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Reflects historical usage: It can indicate a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Detection of drugs in hair generally requires about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs than other testing methods.
• Variation in outcomes: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand, not the scalp’s follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Edgemont, MD. Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in multiple aspects. One of the core benefits of hair testing is its superior detection accuracy and reliability.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle tests provide a broader picture of an individual's drug use history, enhancing the confidence of employers in their hiring and monitoring processes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Edgemont, MD. Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, uncovering drug use for up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history.

An extended detection period allows employers to make more informed decisions regarding employees or potential hires, ensuring a safer and more compliant workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Edgemont, MD. Hair follicle tests provide a robust defense against sample tampering. Their design and methodology significantly reduce the risk of adulteration, producing reliable outcomes.

This tamper-resistant quality ensures that the results are both credible and unquestionable, affirming the integrity of the testing process for all involved parties.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Edgemont, MD. The accessibility of our nationwide testing centers offers residents easy access to testing services. This ensures a quick and hassle-free process for all individuals.

With a wide network of testing locations, employers and individuals can conveniently undergo testing at a nearby site, saving time and enhancing access.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Edgemont, MD. Ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is a straightforward and private process, addressing confidentiality and ease-of-use concerns.

This streamlined approach reassures individuals about their privacy while provided testing services efficiently and discreetly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Edgemont, MD. Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround offer excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes can access quick and precise drug testing services.

Providing fast results without compromising on cost, our services appeal to a broad spectrum of businesses, ensuring peace of mind and value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Edgemont, MD. The precision and rapid results of hair follicle drug tests make them stand out. They ensure high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing clear and reliable outcomes.

Employers and professionals trust hair follicle tests for their swiftness and reliability in delivering results. This method of testing not only saves time but also ensures accurate findings in substance detection, making it a preferred choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Edgemont, MD. Using hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks, and bolstering workplace safety.

Employers gain peace of mind through the consistency and dependability of hair tests, reinforcing their commitment to a secure and compliant working environment.

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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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