Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grasonville, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting the consumption of drugs and alcohol. The hair retains trace substances from these substances within the fibers of its continually growing strands. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal a history of drug and alcohol intake extending up to roughly three months. The collection process is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches in length and consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar to the girth of a #2 pencil) from close to the scalp is required to obtain 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity needed for testing and verification procedures. For EtG, additional tests, or examinations exceeding 10-panel inspections, a specimen of 150mg is preferred. We suggest employing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the hair specimen. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent volume of body hair is acceptable. Our reference to head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other types such as facial, axillary, and similar kinds.

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for analyzing a drug test result comprises four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the stage where the sample is initially integrated into the laboratory's system, ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial swift examination for identifying drug abuse. While this stage presents a cost-efficient means to exclude drug adoption in most samples, a conclusive court-admissible result requires a secondary validation following a positive indication in the screening process.

If a positive indication arises during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which underscores the complexity of hair drug analysis.

The verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptively positive samples undergo a washing procedure before final confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory journey from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed in line with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards along with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can trace drug consumption up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer shorter detection timelines.
• Resistance to tampering: The difficulty of circumventing a hair drug analysis ensures more reliable results.
• Timeline data: Offers insight into drug usage patterns spanning an extensive timeframe rather than capturing only recent activities.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: Detection in hair takes about 5-7 days post-exposure.
• Higher cost: Hair drug analyses usually incur greater expenses than alternative drug testing procedures.
• Result variability: Influences like hair pigmentation and individual differences in hair growth might alter drug metabolite concentration within the hair.

Note: Despite often being labeled as "hair follicle tests," this analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Grasonville, MD
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. In Grasonville, more organizations are opting for hair tests as they cover a broader detection window, providing a more comprehensive overview of an individual's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Grasonville, MD
One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe allows employers in Grasonville to gain a detailed understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Grasonville, MD
Hair follicle tests are notably resistant to tampering, drastically lowering the risk of sample adulteration. This secure method ensures the delivery of reliable and unquestionable results, reinforcing the integrity of drug testing in Grasonville.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Grasonville, MD
With a vast network of nationwide testing centers, accessing hair follicle drug tests is both quick and hassle-free. This convenience extends to local facilities in Grasonville, ensuring seamless entry to testing services for all who need them.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Grasonville, MD
The hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and private, providing ease of use and addressing confidentiality concerns. This straightforward procedure makes ordering, taking, and receiving test results efficient and stress-free in Grasonville.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Grasonville, MD
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services provide exceptional value for companies, irrespective of size. In Grasonville, this affordability ensures businesses can maintain their drug screening protocols without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Grasonville, MD
When it comes to precision and speed, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use. Designed to deliver fast and accurate results, these tests ensure reliability in drug screening processes, making them an ideal choice for employers and legal entities in Grasonville.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Grasonville, MD
Employing hair follicle testing helps companies in Grasonville adhere to workplace drug-free policies. This compliance not only reduces legal liabilities but also promotes a safer working environment, offering peace of mind to employers.

Drug Testing Near Grasonville, MD

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Normans, MD

Queen Anne, MD

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Stevensville, MD

Wye Mills, MD

Chester, MD

Dominion, MD

Queenstown, MD

Carmichael, MD

Kent Narrows, MD

District 5, 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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