Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lower Marlboro, MD

What it is, How it works

The practice of hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol usage. Hair samples can offer a historical trace of drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing strands. By collecting hair near the scalp, it provides roughly a three-month detection range for various substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to handle for shipment.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment from approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. When scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four core stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step, where a sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This procedure includes checking the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid test for the presence of drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirming for legal admissibility. Samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples that are presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at a notably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

A positive result in Screening is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The whole laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can detect substance use up to 90 days, whereas urine testing offers a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Provides historical records: It enables a pattern of substance use over time, instead of just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incunable to detect recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to show up in hair.
• Price factor: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Inconsistent outcomes: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lower Marlboro, MD, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Not only does it provide a broader detection window, but it also minimizes attempts to deceive the test results, making it a robust choice for screening over conventional methods.

Extended Detection Window

In Lower Marlboro, MD, one of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, offering a clear perspective on potential risks associated with an applicant or employee.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Lower Marlboro, MD, significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering, ensuring the reliability and integrity of the results. This method provides unquestionable results, making it a trusted option for organizations that require accurate and secure testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient access to testing is assured through our nationwide centers, including in Lower Marlboro, MD, facilitating swift and straightforward testing services. This ensures individuals and organizations can engage in testing processes without unnecessary hassles.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lower Marlboro, MD, the process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is both simple and confidential. This straightforward approach addresses concerns regarding privacy while ensuring a stress-free user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and speedy turnaround in Lower Marlboro, MD, offer excellent value, making hair follicle testing accessible for companies of varying scales. This delivers quick results and assurance without straining budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Lower Marlboro, MD, make them the ideal choice for detecting substance use. These tests are known for their high accuracy, ensuring reliable results for employers and professionals who need quick and dependable testing solutions. Their detailed assessments enhance trust in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lower Marlboro, MD, find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety, offering a reliable means of maintaining a safe 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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