Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Garrett Park, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extended record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair samples can provide a detection timeframe of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to alter, and can be easily transported.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, it's suggested to acquire 150mg of the specimen. It's advised to weigh the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. In instances where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When head hair is mentioned, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab processing of drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the introductory processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. Tasks include checking that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary quick check for drug use. Though Screening provides a cost-effective means of ruling out substance abuse in most samples, any positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample yields a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those found in other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), hence hair drug testing is notably challenging to perform.

Confirmation of positive screening results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and is also accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to outsmart: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, resulting in more accurate outcomes.
• Historical insight: It reveals patterns of drug use over time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests by providing superior detection and reliability in Garrett Park, MD.

• Extended Detection: Observes drug use up to 90 days.
• Reliable Results: Highly resistant to tampering.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Garrett Park, MD benefit from hair follicle tests because they offer a longer detection window.
The ability to trace substance use for up to 90 days helps employers evaluate an applicant's or employee's comprehensive drug history, providing important insights.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Garrett Park, MD, the hair follicle test stands out for its tamper-resistant advantages.Reliability is key, as these tests reduce the chances of sample manipulation markedly, ensuring trust in the results.

• Secure Testing: Almost impossible to adulterate samples.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide and in Garrett Park, MD, accessing hair follicle testing services is simple and hassle-free.

• Convenient Access: Locations available across the country.
• Local Presence: Easily reachable for residents.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Garrett Park, MD is both simple and confidential.  From ordering to receiving results, every step ensures privacy and ease:

• Effortless Process: Streamlined for convenience.
• Confidentiality Assured: Protects personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Garrett Park, MD delivers outstanding value for businesses of all sizes.Economical Choice ensures companies maximize their resources while obtaining necessary results promptly.

• Competitive Rates: Cost-effective for all budgets.
• Fast Turnaround: Minimal waiting time for results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is renowned in Garrett Park, MD for delivering fast and accurate results. With precision being a top priority, these tests quickly identify substance use with remarkable accuracy, enhancing their reliability.

• Quick Detection: Results in a timely manner.
• High Accuracy: Detects a wide range of substances.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Garrett Park, MD helps maintain compliance with workplace drug-free policies.
Employers experience peace of mind by reducing legal risks and ensuring a safer working environment.

• Legal Compliance: Aligns with regulations easily.

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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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