Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Level, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective mechanism for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and substances. It is easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width) nearest the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for a drug test result comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This stage involves validating that the sample was properly sealed and sent, creating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, cost-effective assessment for substances of abuse. Although it efficiently eliminates the possibility of drug use in most samples, a positive result from screening must be corroborated for it to be legally admissible. Any samples testing presumptive positive require further confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive outcome in Screening, additional hair is obtained from the initial specimen for Extraction. In the Extraction phase, substances are isolated from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug analysis the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo a wash as needed. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating with hair drug tests is notably challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage pattern: It can reveal a pattern of substance use over a duration, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair around 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual variations in hair growth might influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Level, MD, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over more traditional urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, this method provides a reliable evaluation of drug use tendencies. The detection window is significantly longer, offering a better understanding of an individual's substance involvement compared to the more limited urine test scope.

Extended Detection Window

In Level, MD, hair follicle tests are renowned for their extended detection window, capable of revealing drug use up to 90 days prior. This long-term view gives employers a comprehensive picture of an individual's substance history, proving invaluable for informed decision-making regarding hiring and workforce management.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Level, MD presents a tamper-resistant approach, significantly minimizing risks of sample adulteration. This robust method ensures unquestionable reliability, as altering or falsifying test results becomes nearly impossible, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Level, MD, the availability of convenient nationwide testing centers, alongside local locations, ensures access to hassle-free hair follicle testing services. Our widespread network guarantees a straightforward and efficient testing experience for all clients, no matter where they are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of enrolling for hair follicle testing in Level, MD is characterized by its simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to obtaining results, the procedure is designed to protect privacy while offering ease of use, addressing any concerns regarding the security of personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Level, MD patrons benefit from our affordable pricing and fast turnaround. This combination assures companies of all sizes of substantial value and reliability. The competitive pricing structure paired with swift results delivery reinforces peace of mind and economic feasibility for all clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Level, MD are synonymous with fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests excel at identifying substance use with high precision, offering a dependable means of detection. The efficiency of this method ensures timely outcomes for employers and individuals seeking clarity in substance usage examinations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Level, MD can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By reinforcing workplace drug-free policies, companies reduce legal risks and enhance their safety profile. This reliable test method aligns with regulatory requirements, ensuring a secure and compliant 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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