Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Landover Hills, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair strand. When sourced close to the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprised of roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal sample size for assessment and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory system. This involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples that show a presumptive positive result during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lesser concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection range.
• Hard to cheat: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over an interval, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Landover Hills, MD, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests by offering unparalleled detection precision. The benefits of hair testing include a broader detection window and superior reliability, making it a preferred choice for employers seeking drug-free work environments. Hair tests capture substance history more effectively, reducing the possibility of manipulation evident in urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Landover Hills, MD, boasts an extended detection window, revealing drug use up to 90 days prior. This method gives employers a more comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance history compared to shorter-term tests. By offering a broad timeframe, hair analysis enables employers to make well-informed decisions regarding hiring and maintaining workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Landover Hills, MD, hair follicle testing is known for its tamper-resistant qualities. This method drastically reduces the risk of sample adulteration, offering dependable and unquestionable results. Hair tests eliminate opportunities for manipulation, making them a trusted alternative for accurate drug use detection, thus ensuring the integrity of the testing process for all parties involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in Landover Hills, MD, with our nationwide and local testing centers. Our widespread presence ensures ease of access for individuals needing drug tests, providing reliable and hassle-free services. Accredited Drug Testing offers quick and straightforward testing processes, reinforcing our commitment to exceptional accessibility and support for clients nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Landover Hills, MD, for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, the streamlined steps ensure privacy and user-friendliness at every stage. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes client confidentiality, offering comfort to all participants and addressing any privacy concerns associated with substance testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Landover Hills, MD, highlights affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Our cost-effective solutions and quick result delivery provide excellent value, catering to companies of various sizes. Employers can rely on our efficient service to support their needs with confidence, knowing they receive valuable and timely test outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer fast and accurate results in Landover Hills, MD. Their high precision allows for quick detection of substance use, providing reliable outcomes. With advanced testing techniques, hair samples can accurately reflect an individual's drug history, ensuring trustworthy and timely reporting that benefits both employers and individuals concerned about substance abuse detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Landover Hills, MD, offers employers compliance and peace of mind. Utilizing this testing method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities and enhancing overall safety. Employers can rest assured that hair testing supports a trustworthy reporting system, critical for enforcing organizational standards against substance use effectively.

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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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