Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jessup, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for detecting the use of substances like drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a chronological trace of substance use by embedding markers within the growing strands. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to three months for substances such as alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A section of 1.5-inch hair, around 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields about 100mg, an optimal amount for both screening and verification. For comprehensive tests, including EtG, or surpassing 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. It's beneficial to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. Our mention of head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other variations (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process typically involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the foundational integration of a sample into a laboratory setup. Processes include ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any additional data input absent from an online custody protocol.

Screening conducts an initial swift scan for illicit substances. Although Screening provides a cost-effective means to exclude drug use across most samples, any positive findings must be validated for court submission. Presumptive positives from Screening mandate further validation.

If a specimen tests presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, the drug traces are isolated at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methods (such as urine or oral samples), presenting hair testing as the most challenging approach.

Positively screened samples undergo Confirmation via methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are thoroughly cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection: Hair analysis can trace substance use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• High integrity: With minimal chance of test evasion, hair tests provide more reliable results.
• Chronological insight: Offers an extended view of substance use patterns rather than recent usage alone.

Limitations:

• Recent use untraceable: Drugs only become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug assessments are pricier than alternative testing forms.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal growth rates can affect metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although sometimes labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Jessup, MD, the benefits become clear. Hair tests offer superior accuracy and an extensive detection period. Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides a longer detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days, making it a preferred option for many organizations.

The reliability and precision of hair follicle tests leave traditional urine testing behind. In terms of detection accuracy, hair testing consistently delivers superior results, ensuring a comprehensive overview of substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Jessup, MD is a game-changer due to its extended detection capabilities. It delves deep into an individual’s history, reflecting drug use for up to 90 days, thus providing employers a clearer picture of an applicant or employee's substance habits.

The enduring detection window sets hair follicle testing apart. It's not merely about recent use but offering a broader understanding of an individual’s long-term habits, facilitating informed decisions based on an extensive drug use background.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The minimal risk of tampering with hair follicle samples makes this testing method favored in Jessup, MD. It's a reliable option due to its resilience against adulteration, providing results that are both credible and trustworthy.

Sample adulteration is a prevalent issue with other methods, but hair follicle tests are tamper-resistant. This ensures the authenticity of results, giving employers peace of mind when evaluating substance use among employees or candidates.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with Accredited Drug Testing’s numerous locations throughout Jessup, MD, and nationwide. Our centers simplify the testing process, offering seamless access to drug testing services no matter where you are.

Whether in Jessup or across the state, our widespread facilities ensure hassle-free testing. This broad network allows clients to quickly locate a center close to them, simplifying the testing journey.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing ensures a simple and confidential process in Jessup, MD. From ordering to receiving results, privacy is our top priority, making the process user-friendly for all.

The seamless and discreet nature of our testing procedure enhances user confidence. Maintaining confidentiality at every step, we alleviate concerns related to privacy, ensuring individuals feel secure throughout their testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing provides significant value in Jessup, MD. Our pricing structures are designed to accommodate companies of all sizes, making high-quality drug testing accessible to all.

• Competitive pricing
• Swift turnaround

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing ensures fast and precise results in Jessup, MD. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy when it comes to detecting substance use among individuals. Employers and individuals rely on them for decisive and quick determinations, ensuring decisions are based on reliable data.

Timeliness matters, and with hair follicle tests, results are swift and dependable. Accuracy in detection is unparalleled, making it a trustworthy choice for many seeking comprehensive drug use evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Jessup, MD gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method supports drug-free workplace policies by ensuring compliance and reducing legal risks, enhancing safety and reliability.

With hair follicle tests, employers can safeguard their operations by effectively monitoring substance use. This contributes to a secure and compliant workplace environment, reinforcing drug-free policies and minimizing potential liability issues.

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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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