Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kentmore Park, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use, providing an extended timeline of alcohol and drug consumption through the accumulation of biomarkers in hair fibers. When collected near the scalp, it offers up to a 90-day detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, optimal for analysis. For EtG, add-ons, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. In this context, head hair pertains exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data recording not captured by an electronic chain of custody method.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient tactic to exclude drug use in most samples, positive results require confirmation to hold up legally. Any samples showing a preliminary positive in Screening need secondary validation.

Should a sample indicate a preliminary positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at concentrations far lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which highlights the complexity of hair drug testing methodology.

Verification of any positive screenings is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminarily positive samples undergo washing if necessary before confirmation. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments detect substance use up to 90 days, exceeding the shorter scope of urine tests.
• Harder to deceive: Manipulating a hair drug test is notably challenging, increasing result accuracy.
• Shows usage patterns: Highlights a consistent use pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot determine recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days post-use to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Differences like hair color and personal hair growth can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," this test targets the hair strand instead of the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Kentmore Park, MD, offers superior detection compared to traditional urine checks. Employers benefit from its ability to identify drug usage over an extended period, minimizing the chance of oversight. Hair testing showcases accuracy and reliability, making it an excellent choice for those implementing strict substance policies and enhancing workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Kentmore Park, MD, value hair follicle testing for its extended detection window. While urine tests cover recent drug use, hair tests provide insights into usage over the last 90 days, offering a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history. This long detection period ensures a complete evaluation aligning with workplace policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Kentmore Park, MD, hair follicle testing is recognized for its tamper-resistant properties. The structure of the testing process significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. Employers can rely on its accuracy and integrity, knowing that results are trustworthy and free from manipulation, bolstering the credibility of workplace drug policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Kentmore Park, MD, enjoys the convenience of our broad nationwide and local testing center network. Our facilities enable quick and easy access to essential testing services. This ensures that businesses and individuals can complete necessary assessments efficiently, minimizing disruption and maintaining productivity while ensuring necessary compliance.

Simple, Confidential Process

Offering a simple and confidential process, hair follicle testing in Kentmore Park, MD streamlines ordering, sample collection, and result delivery. Privacy concerns are addressed comprehensively, ensuring user comfort and ease throughout the testing journey. This clarity enhances trust and compliance with testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Kentmore Park, MD, we prioritize affordable pricing alongside fast turnaround for our hair follicle testing. Companies benefit from competitive pricing, ensuring high-quality testing remains accessible. Quick result delivery further provides excellent value and assurance for organizations of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Kentmore Park, MD, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their speed, accuracy, and reliability. The precision in identifying substances ensures that results reflect true usage without delay. Unlike other methods, hair tests deliver swift outcomes, becoming an essential tool for employers and institutions looking to maintain a drug-free environment with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Kentmore Park, MD, find valuable peace of mind and compliance through hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and fostering a secure environment. The assurance of comprehensive, accurate testing promotes a culture of safety and responsibility within the organization.

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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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