Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Goddard, MD

What it is, How it works

Recognized for its efficacy, hair testing stands as a strong mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol usage. With its capability to store biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a longitudinal view of substance use history. When sampled proximate to the scalp, it can provide a detection timeframe of up to three months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send for testing.

The optimal sample involves a 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the circumference of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yielding about 100mg for a comprehensive screen and confirmation. For enhanced analysis such as EtG, supplementary tests, or screens exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precision in weighing. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may serve as a substitute. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair categories (facial, underarm, etc.).

Overview of the Process

The laboratory processing of a drug test comprises four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to bringing the sample into the laboratory's workflow. This step includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry required beyond what the electronic chain of custody system provides.

Screening constitutes an initial, rapid evaluation for potential drug presence. Although it is a cost-effective measure to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal acceptance. Samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening necessitate a subsequent, confirmatory analysis.

Should there be a presumptive positive outcome at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for further analysis in the Extraction stage. Here, hair's lower concentration of drug content necessitates a more complex extraction process than other methods such as urine or oral fluid testing, thus making it a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washing of all presumptive positive samples precedes confirmation. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Pros of Hair Drug Testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug testing can identify drug intake for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter timeframe of urine tests.
• High resistance to manipulation: Results are highly reliable due to the difficulty in falsifying a hair drug test.
• Chronological usage insight: Provides an extended overview of drug consumption habits over time, beyond just recent patterns.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs typically take 5-7 days to manifest within hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier when compared to other methodologies.
• Diverse result variations: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair shaft itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Goddard, MD, is largely due to its superior detection capabilities. Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests in accuracy, identifying drug use over a longer period. This method captures an extended window of potential substance use, offering a more reliable and comprehensive snapshot of an individual's behavior, unlike urine tests, which detect recent use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an Extended Detection Window in Goddard, MD, which can reveal drug use within a 90-day period. This feature provides employers a broad overview of an individual’s substance habits. Unlike conventional tests, hair follicle analysis allows for a more thorough historical insight, aiding companies in making informed hiring decisions by evaluating longer-term drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Goddard, MD, significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. Hair follicle testing delivers unwavering reliability, ensuring unquestionable results. Because of its collection and analysis methodology, this test is difficult to manipulate, offering an assurance level unmatched by other testing methods, like urine tests, which might be susceptible to tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and local options in Goddard, MD, Accredited Drug Testing offers a seamless process. Our network allows quick and easy accessibility to hair follicle testing services. Whether you're local or need access nationwide, our expansive range of testing sites ensures no hassle during the testing and results acquisition process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Goddard, MD, the Simple, Confidential Process for hair follicle testing prioritizes privacy and client ease. From ordering to taking tests and receiving results, every step ensures confidentiality. This streamlined procedure reassures users of the discreet handling of their information, addressing privacy concerns while maintaining straightforward access to necessary testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Goddard, MD, supports Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround. With competitive rates and swift processing times, companies benefit from excellent value. Our pricing structures cater to organizations of every size, rendering peace of mind with efficient testing services and timely results that fortify an effective workplace drug policy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Goddard, MD, are unmatched. These tests boast high accuracy for identifying substance use, providing reliable results. Hair testing detects even small amounts of drugs, ensuring fast and precise outcomes. This method is known for its quick turnaround time, benefiting both employers and individuals seeking assurance about substance use histories.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Goddard, MD, delivers Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers. By aligning with drug-free workplace policies, this method minimizes legal risks while enhancing workplace safety. Employers find reassurance in using a robust testing format that maintains company compliance, supports a safe work environment, and reduces potential liability concerns.

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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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