Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Georgetown, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a highly effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and other substances by embedding markers in the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is recommended to gather 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be collected. By head hair, we denote scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other forms of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory system. This process includes ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents an initial swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to be accepted in legal proceedings. All samples showing presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is regarded as the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, thereby increasing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a timeline of drug usage over an extended period, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: It typically takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than other testing methods.
• Result discrepancies: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Georgetown, MD, hair follicle testing notably surpasses traditional urine testing. It provides higher accuracy and reliability in detecting drugs, making it the preferred choice for many.

• Longer detection window in hair tests versus urine.
• Reduced risk of sample tampering compared to urine testing.
• More comprehensive drug-use history through hair testing.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Georgetown, MD, offers an extensive detection period of up to 90 days, providing employers with a thorough overview of a person's drug history.

• Broad detection window gives a historical view.
• Long-term substance use is better identified.
• Up to 90-day drug use history is uncovered.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

With significant tamper-resistant attributes, hair follicle tests in Georgetown, MD, ensure integrity and trustworthy results.

• Decreases possibilities for sample adulteration.
• Relies on a tamper-proof testing method.
• Offers unquestionable and reliable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Georgetown, MD, access to hair follicle testing is convenient with numerous nationwide centers. Experience hassle-free testing wherever you are.

• Nationwide and local availability simplifies testing.
• Takes the hassle out of the testing process.
• Quick and easy access to reliable services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing process in Georgetown, MD, is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease from ordering to results retrieval.

• A simple procedure for ordering tests.
• Confidential and private handling of data.
• Effortless receipt of accurate results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and quick processing in Georgetown, MD, make hair follicle testing an attractive option for businesses, offering excellent value.

• Affordability without compromising accuracy.
• Rapid turnaround times provide timely insights.
• Great value ensures budget-friendly testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The swiftness and precision of hair follicle drug tests in Georgetown, MD, offer a significant advantage. These tests stand out with their remarkable accuracy in identifying substance use, providing fast and reliable results.

• Hair tests deliver high precision detection with quick results.
• Substance use is identified with greater accuracy.
• Improve decision-making with credible data from tests.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Georgetown, MD employers, using hair follicle tests ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thus minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety.

• Supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• Reduces potential legal liabilities for employers.
• Promotes a safer, more productive work 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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