Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Goshen, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands preserve a long-term record of these substances by holding biomolecules within the developing hair fibers. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection range of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample containing approximately 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG additions and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages involved in the laboratory analysis of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial treatment of a sample within a lab's system. This stage ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and wraps up any supplementary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening features an initial rapid test for drug misuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples testing presumptive positive at the Screening phase must undergo secondary confirmation.

For specimens with presumptive positive results from Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most intricate method to conduct.

The Confirmation of positive Screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive specimens are cleansed before Confirmation as warranted. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests have the ability to identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that possess a shorter detection period.
• Tamper-resistant: It is remarkably challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Reveals usage history: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug consumption over a span of time rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Diversity in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Goshen, MD

• Hair testing provides superior accuracy in detecting drug use.
  Compared to urine tests, it offers enhanced reliability,
  making it the preferred choice for a thorough substance use evaluation.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Goshen, MD

• Hair follicle testing identifies drug use over an extended timeframe of up to 90 days.
  This method provides a complete view of an individual's substance history,
  offering a significant advantage over shorter detection windows.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Goshen, MD

• Hair follicle tests are designed to minimize the risk of sample tampering.
  They provide reliable results that are difficult to contest,
  ensuring test integrity throughout the screening process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Goshen, MD

• Enjoy the ease of accessing our comprehensive network of testing centers nationwide,
  ensuring swift and stress-free testing services at both local and national levels.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Goshen, MD

• Our testing process is designed to be straightforward and discreet.
  We prioritize privacy at every step, from test ordering to secure result delivery,
  addressing concerns about confidentiality and convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Goshen, MD

• Experience competitive pricing structures and rapid result processing.
  Our cost-effective solutions provide exceptional value and peace of mind
  for businesses of every size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Goshen, MD

• Hair follicle testing guarantees precise and swift identification of substance use.
  Its high accuracy rate significantly surpasses that of traditional methods,
  ensuring reliable results promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Goshen, MD

• Utilizing hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
  It reduces legal liabilities while promoting a safer working environment,
  offering employers reassurance and confidence in their screening programs.

Drug Testing Near Goshen, MD

Olney, MD

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Sunshine, MD

Boyds, MD

Derwood, MD

Damascus, MD

Clarksburg, MD

Germantown, MD

Mount Zion, MD

Redland, MD

Washington Grove, MD

Gaithersburg, MD

Woodfield, MD

Laytonsville, MD

Montgomery Village, 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.

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