Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lansdowne, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a longer history of substance use since biomarkers become embedded in the fibers of the developing hair. By collecting hair near the scalp, it offers an approximate three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, fairly resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

An optimal sample for testing and verification is a 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, providing 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional testing, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. All other hair types such as facial and axillary hair fall under body hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results includes four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with integrating the sample into a lab's system initially. This step involves verifying appropriate sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic custody chain.

Screening serves as a preliminary check for drug presence. Though it is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate non-use in many samples, a positive screen result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Presumptive positive samples in Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample register positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the sample for Extraction. In this phase, drug components are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug screening presents notable challenges.

Positive screening outcomes require Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the scrutiny of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair credential and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for roughly 90 days, unlike urine tests that have shorter durations.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely hard, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of substance use over a timeframe, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to trace recent use: Typically, it takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug testing often incurs more expense than alternative testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements like hair pigmentation and individual hair growth variations can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle drug testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests in Lansdowne, MD. Hair testing provides a superior detection window, capturing usage over the last 90 days. This longer detection period means more accurate results and a clearer insight into an individual's substance history compared to the typical 5-day urine window.

Moreover, hair follicle tests are nearly impossible to cheat, ensuring more reliable outcomes for employers. The integrity of these tests makes them an essential tool for organizations implementing zero-tolerance policies, allowing for enforcement without the risk of manipulation present in urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

In Lansdowne, MD, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection opportunity that is unmatched by other methods. By examining a sample of hair, this test can reveal drug usage over the last 90 days, giving employers a far-reaching look at an individual's substance history and allowing for better-informed hiring decisions.

The long detection window of hair follicle testing makes it invaluable for maintaining a safe workplace. Employers gain valuable insights into whether an applicant or current employee has a pattern of drug use. This process is both invasive and discreet, providing assurance and comprehensive results.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Lansdowne, MD, minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration. Unlike urine tests, which can be tampered with through substitution or dilution, hair tests offer a much higher level of security and integrity, making them nearly impossible to manipulate.

The reliability of hair follicle tests stems from their inherent design, providing unquestionable results for employers. This means decisions can be made based on accurate data, reducing the chance of false negatives or positives due to sample contamination. Confidence in testing outcomes is greatly enhanced.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in drug testing, and in Lansdowne, MD, our network of testing centers ensures hassle-free access. With national reach and local presence, obtaining a hair follicle test couldn't be easier, facilitating quick and efficient testing processes for individuals and businesses alike.

Our testing centers are strategically located, providing comprehensive nationwide coverage for any testing needs. This accessibility supports timely appointments and results, ensuring that employees and employers can navigate testing procedures with minimal disruption.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lansdowne, MD, the process of hair follicle testing is deliberately straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step is streamlined, ensuring the privacy of individuals is respected and the process remains user-friendly.

Employers and individuals can expect a simple process, free of unnecessary complications. Confidentiality is assured, addressing any concerns about the handling of sensitive information, making it a trusted service for privacy-focused users seeking drug testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing service in Lansdowne, MD, offers competitive pricing alongside a seamless turnaround time. This balance of cost and efficiency ensures quality service without the financial strain, supporting businesses of all sizes in maintaining drug-free workplaces.

The affordability of our testing services does not come at the expense of speed. We provide fast results that are accurate, ensuring companies receive excellent value for their investment, affirming the budget-friendly aspect of using our hair follicle tests.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lansdowne, MD, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. These tests provide fast results without sacrificing accuracy, offering a reliable picture of an individual’s substance use. Unlike other methods, hair testing ensures a comprehensive detection process that companies can count on.

Hair follicle testing's efficiency is amplified by its rapid turnaround time, making it an ideal choice for employers who require quick yet thorough screening. This testing method eliminates the wait associated with other techniques, delivering swift results without compromising detail.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Lansdowne, MD, offers peace of mind for employers, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing the potential for legal issues and enhancing workplace safety, hair testing proves to be a significant asset in maintaining a productive work environment.

The assurance that comes from reliable test results allows businesses to enforce zero-tolerance policies effectively. Employers can trust the authenticity of hair test results, supporting informed decision-making, reducing risk, and promoting overall company well-being.

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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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