Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jefferson, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly accepted as a robust method for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair captures a timeline of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as they grow. If collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and easily transported.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen quantity of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, the equivalent amount of body hair may serve as an alternative. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other varieties such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning concerns the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This procedure includes ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While this is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, substantiation is necessary for a positive screen to be valid in legal contexts. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further preparation in Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.

Any positive screening results are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Resistance to evasion: It is exceedingly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It charts a timeline of drug consumption rather than solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentration in hair can be influenced by factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not on the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Jefferson, MD is evident through the superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing. Compared to standard urine tests, hair follicle tests offer a broader detection window and are less susceptible to manipulation—qualities appreciated by employers seeking trustworthy results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Jefferson, MD provides up to 90 days of monitoring. This lengthy detection period supplies employers with a comprehensive assessment of an applicant or employee's drug usage patterns, ensuring informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Jefferson, MD stands out due to its resistance to sample adulteration. Hair follicle testing requires a controlled collection process that assures the authenticity and integrity of the sample, ultimately delivering consistent and dependable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Jefferson, MD are part of our expansive network. Our testing centers provide easy and accessible services, allowing for a swift and stress-free testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Jefferson, MD ensures privacy and ease from start to finish. The order, collection, and results stages are seamless, aligned with clients' confidentiality expectations while guaranteeing straightforward usability.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Jefferson, MD complements our services. With competitive pricing models and quick response times, companies of varying sizes receive excellent value and assurance through efficient processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Jefferson, MD are possible with hair follicle drug tests. Known for their precision and speed, these tests are a valuable tool for identifying substance use. Professionals trust them for their ability to yield dependable outcomes swiftly and efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Jefferson, MD is achieved through the use of hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, potentially reducing legal risks and promoting a safer working environment.

Drug Testing Near Jefferson, MD

Brownsville, MD

Brunswick, MD

Berlin, MD

Point of Rocks, MD

Middletown, MD

Buckeystown, MD

Ballenger Creek, MD

Burkittsville, MD

District 3, MD

Rosemont, MD

Adamstown, MD

Braddock Heights, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews