Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kemp Mill, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. It captures a prolonged record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair provides a potential detection timeline for drugs and alcohol reaching up to about three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

Taking a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimum amount for screening and confirmation. To conduct EtG tests, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, it strictly means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Four fundamental steps are engaged in laboratory processing for a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the preliminary sample processing into a lab’s system, including verifying proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any leftover data entry not available through the electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a rapid initial examination for drugs of abuse. Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage across most samples; however, a positive screen demands confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples found presumptively positive require secondary confirmation.

A sample testing positive during Screening necessitates extracting additional hair from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS validation methods confirm any positive screen results. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty in evasion: Due to the challenging nature of cheating a hair drug test, the results tend to be more reliable.
• Historical usage data: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, unlike tests that only detect recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes approximately 5-7 days for a drug to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variations in hair color and differences in individual hair growth might impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Kemp Mill, MD, the superiority of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests is undeniable. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis has a longer detection window which can capture substance use over the past 90 days, offering a more reliable and thorough perspective on an individual's drug history. This makes hair testing the prime choice for precise and dependable screening.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle tests in Kemp Mill, MD, are unmatched with their ability to trace drug use back up to 90 days. This extensive detection period provides employers insight into the long-term drug habits of potential or current employees, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of their substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle testing available in Kemp Mill, MD, drastically reduces the likelihood of tampering with samples. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are much harder to adulterate or manipulate, thus securing the integrity and reliability of the test results for all involved parties.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
With our numerous testing sites, including those in Kemp Mill, MD, users can effortlessly access testing services. Our nationwide presence ensures a seamless and convenient experience, making it easy for anyone to undergo the necessary testing procedures, no matter their location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Kemp Mill, MD, the process for conducting hair follicle tests is straightforward and discreet. From booking the test to obtaining the results, every step is designed to safeguard privacy while ensuring ease of use, alleviating any concern over confidentiality and personal data protection.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Our pricing in Kemp Mill, MD, remains competitive, coupled with rapid turnaround times, offering exceptional value. Organizations of varying scales can benefit from cost-effective, reliable testing without compromising on the quality or speed of results provided.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate Results
In Kemp Mill, MD, hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and speed. These tests deliver highly accurate results in detecting various substances, which is crucial for individuals and employers committed to maintaining a drug-free environment. The accuracy of hair tests provides peace of mind, ensuring all substances are reliably detected and reported.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Kemp Mill, MD, gain significant advantages by choosing hair follicle testing for maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only minimizes legal risks due to its reliability and accuracy but also contributes to a safer and more productive work environment.

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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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