Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hess, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term data of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can show a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, hard to alter, and straightforward to mail.

A 1.5-inch section containing about 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar volume of body hair can be used. Head hair refers strictly to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processes a drug test result through four core stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system, verifying the sample's seal and proper shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data input not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for illicit drugs. Although Screening is an affordable means to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive result must be validated to be used in legal proceedings. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

With a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. At this point, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration than methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug testing the most challenging technique.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS conducts Confirmation of any positive screen results. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can detect drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine testing has a more limited detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It offers a usage pattern over time, beyond just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot spot recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days before being detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variances: Drug metabolite concentration in hair can be influenced by hair color and individual hair growth differences.

Note: Widely known as "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hess, MD, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in several ways. Primarily, they provide superior detection accuracy and reliability. Employers looking to enforce zero-tolerance policies find hair tests more advantageous due to their extended look-back period. The observed collection process minimizes the chances of cheating, a significant setback with urine tests.

When comparing hair follicle to urine testing, the former holds an edge due to its longer detection window, overall accuracy, and substantial resistance to sample tampering. This makes it a preferred choice for professionals committed to maintaining a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Hess, MD provides a major advantage with its extensive detection period of up to 90 days. This prolonged window allows employers and authorities to gain a comprehensive perspective on an individual’s substance use history. Such insights are invaluable for assessing long-term patterns rather than short-term tendencies.

Employers benefit from hair testing as it provides a more detailed view of an applicant’s or current employee's substance history. This longer look-back period aids in making informed employment decisions, contributing positively to workplace dynamics.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Hess, MD, hair follicle testing is known for its resistance to sample adulteration. The robustness of this method ensures that results remain dependable and unswayed by attempts at manipulation, offering peace of mind to those requiring accurate results.

This testing method significantly reduces the risk of compromised samples, as it’s difficult to substitute or alter a hair specimen compared to urine. Hair follicle tests provide unquestionable results, alleviating concerns of tampering and ensuring trust in the outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers conveniently located testing centers throughout the nation, including Hess, MD. This accessibility ensures that clients can easily access testing services without the hassle of lengthy commutes or complex procedures. Our extensive network means you’re likely near a testing center.

With locations spread nationwide, getting tested is straightforward and hassle-free. The convenience of multiple centers facilitates quick and easy access to reliable drug testing services, reducing time and effort for individuals and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hess, MD, our hair follicle testing procedure is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize your privacy and ease of use. This ensures that the process is not only simple but maintains the confidentiality essential for sensitive information.

We’ve streamlined the testing process to be as unintrusive as possible, guaranteeing that from start to finish, your experience is both private and user-friendly. Our focus on confidentiality addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Hess, MD, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, along with fast turnaround times. This affordability combined with speed delivers excellent value, making our services accessible for businesses of all sizes seeking trusted results without breaking the bank.

Offering an attractive pricing structure, our testing services are designed to meet the needs of diverse organizations. Whether large or small, companies can benefit from our value-driven approach, with quick results enhancing decision-making processes efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hess, MD, the swift and dependable outcomes of hair follicle testing are unmatched. These tests are highly precise in identifying substance use, offering a speed and accuracy that cannot be rivaled. The advanced technology used ensures reliable results which are critical for decision-making, be it for employment or legal requirements.

The efficiency of hair follicle tests is evident in their ability to deliver quick results without compromising on truthfulness. With this method, you can expect clarity and reliability, factors essential for maintaining trust and informed choices. The combination of speed and accuracy is why hair follicle testing stands out in today’s testing landscape.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hess, MD can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, thereby mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety within organizational environments. Such compliance reinforces the integrity of workplace operations.

By adopting hair follicle testing, organizations not only secure legal compliance but also create a safer, more productive environment. This robust approach to drug testing safeguards against potential liabilities and cultivates a standard of trust among employees.

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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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