Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hickory, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended overview of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reflect up to a 3-month period of drug and alcohol detection. It's easy to gather, tricky to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), cut near the scalp, amounts to 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample weighing 150mg is suggested. We recommend measuring the sample with a jeweler's scale. If head hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair should be collected. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses facial, axillary, and other hair types.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory system. This stage includes validating that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any data input absent in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as an initial, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although cost-efficient for dismissing drug consumption in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples indicating potential positivity require further confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is sourced from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drug substances are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than methods like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the challenge of hair drug analysis.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies are used for verifying any positive screening outcomes. All samples testing presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug consumption up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter time frame.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are difficult to deceive, leading to more accurate outcomes.
• Gives historical insights: It portrays a pattern of drug usage over time, beyond just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs greater costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair pigmentation and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines 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 Hickory, MD
Hair follicle testing in Hickory, MD, surpasses traditional urine tests due to superior detection capabilities. Employers favor hair tests for higher accuracy and reliability, as they provide a more comprehensive assessment of substance usage. Hair testing's enhanced detection and difficulty to tamper with outshine urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hickory, MD
Hair follicle testing in Hickory, MD, offers an extensive window for detecting drug use, up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe grants employers valuable insights into an individual's substance history, contributing to informed employment decisions. This prolonged detection period is a distinct benefit over shorter-term tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hickory, MD
In Hickory, MD, hair follicle testing minimizes the risk of sample tampering. Its tamper-resistant nature ensures reliable results, as the method is complex to adulterate. This provides unquestionable results, establishing trust and integrity in drug testing processes for both employers and individuals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Hickory, MD
Accredited Drug Testing provides ease of access with numerous testing centers nationwide, including Hickory, MD. Our extensive network ensures testing services are quick, easy, and hassle-free, making them convenient for everyone. Accessing reliable testing is simple, no matter where you are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hickory, MD
The process for hair follicle drug testing in Hickory, MD, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to result receipt, every step is designed with privacy and simplicity in mind, keeping personal information secure and the procedure easy for all involved, ensuring comfort and peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hickory, MD
In Hickory, MD, we offer competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, providing exceptional value for businesses of any size. With our efficient processes, companies experience cost-effective solutions alongside speedy turnaround times, ensuring satisfaction and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate Results in Hickory, MD
The precision and promptness of hair follicle drug tests in Hickory, MD, are unmatched. With high accuracy levels, these tests efficiently detect substances, ensuring quick and reliable outcomes. This speed combined with accuracy makes hair testing a superior choice over other methods, offering individuals and organizations peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hickory, MD
Hair follicle testing assists employers in Hickory, MD, in maintaining drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks, and boosting safety. By aligning with these standards, organizations ensure compliance and enhance the working environment, offering both peace of mind and legal protection.

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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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