Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kentland, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within its fibers, offering a prolonged history of substance use. Sampling hair near the scalp allows for a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. The collection process is straightforward, and hair is relatively resistant to tampering and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample size is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for measuring the sample's weight. In cases where scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the sample's initial entry into the lab system, verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While cost-efficient, a positive Screening result requires Confirmation for legal credibility. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening need further confirmation.

When a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for preparation in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are pulled from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening results uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Required samples are washed before Confirmation. The lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is very difficult to cheat a hair drug test, making the results more accurate.
• Provides historical data: It can provide a pattern of drug use over a period of time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are generally more expensive than other drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can affect the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Kentland, MD, hair testing emerges as a superior method, offering notable benefits over traditional urine tests. Hair follicle tests outdo urine tests with increased detection periods, up to 90 days, and robustness against manipulation. This test style is ideal for workplaces enforcing zero-tolerance drug policies.
Enhanced Reliability and Precision:

Employers find hair testing invaluable for thorough substance history, minimizing risks associated with drug-related workplace incidents. The difficulty of tampering with hair samples further assures authenticity and consistency compared to urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Offering unique benefits in Kentland, MD, hair follicle tests detect drug use over an extended duration, up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with a comprehensive perspective on an individual’s substance use history. Hair test results are valuable tools in recruitment and employment continuance assessments.
Comprehensive Historical View:

Hair testing grants employers insights into long-term drug behaviors, aiding in informed decision-making. The extended detection window reflects consistent drug habits or abstinence, critical in risk evaluation and policy compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Providing an edge in Kentland, MD, hair follicle testing mitigates tampering risks frequently associated with other testing methods. Sampling techniques ensure high integrity and reliability of results, enhancing validity and trust in the outcomes.
Protect Data Integrity:

The hair test’s ability to deter adulterations underscores its value for rigorous and defensive drug testing regimens. Adopting such methods prevents common issues faced in maintaining sample purity, thus delivering unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Kentland, MD, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, facilitating easy access to services. The widespread network allows swift and hassle-free testing, ensuring seamless user experiences across varied locales.
Location Accessibility:

The benefit of extensive testing centers across counties assures residents of Kentland effortless service acquisition. Such accessibility maximizes resource allocation, optimizing time and management efforts.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplifying processes in Kentland, MD, the hair follicle testing procedure is easy and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. The straightforward ordering, testing, and receiving sequence enhances user confidence and satisfaction.
Simplicity and Anonymity:

Clear guidelines accompany a private testing mechanism, ensuring user comfort and discretion. The emphasis on maintaining privacy supports compliance with personal privacy laws, reinforcing trust in the testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Kentland, MD, the cost-effective pricing of hair follicle testing combined with rapid turnaround times offers excellent value. Companies benefit from reasonable costs without sacrificing quality or results’ speed.
Cost-Effective Excellence:

Offering competitive rates ensures our services are accessible to companies of all sizes, facilitating budget management while guaranteeing superior testing standards. This balance between affordability and rapid response benefits organizational needs effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Kentland, MD, hair follicle drug tests provide exceptional precision and swift results. With superior accuracy, these tests reliably detect substance use, giving individuals and organizations confidence in test outcomes. The streamlined process ensures minimal waiting time, offering fast and conclusive reports to facilitate immediate decision-making.
Quick and Dependable:

Hair follicle drug testing stands out with its rapid and reliable turnaround. It efficiently identifies recent substance usage, making it a top choice for those who prioritize both speed and accuracy in substance screening processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Kentland, MD, utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with workplace compliance and offers peace of mind. Such methods uphold drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal exposure and boosting workplace security.
Assurance and Safety:

Adoption of hair follicle testing illustrates commitment to maintaining a substance-free environment, crucial for employer reputability and employee safety. It helps circumvent legal challenges associated with workplace drug policy breaches.

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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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