Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Marlton, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Through the capture of biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows, hair provides an extended record of substance use. When acquired near the scalp, hair can offer a detection scope of up to around three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of approximately 200 hairs (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Utilization of a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If no scalp hair is accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain strictly to scalp hair. The term body hair encompasses all other hair forms (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial integration into the lab system. This stage includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any further data input absent from an electronic custody chain system.

Screening entails a rapid preliminary assessment for drug traces. Screening acts as a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, yet a positive result demands Confirmation to be valid in judicial situations. Any sample that tests presumptive positive in Screening mandates a subsequent confirmation.

In the event a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly reduced concentrations than with alternate techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis is the most challenging technique to conduct.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS processes. Pre-confirmation washing is administered to all presumptive positive samples as needed. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in line with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug utilization for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection timeframe.
• Resistance to manipulation: Altering hair drug tests is highly challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical use patterns: It can illustrate drug usage trends over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to become discernible in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine testing in Marlton, MD, the former stands out with superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair samples offer a broader timeframe for substance detection, providing more comprehensive insights compared to urine. Hair tests negate common issues associated with urine tests, ensuring accurate detection even long after drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing undeniably offers an extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days in Marlton, MD. This prolonged period allows employers to gain a detailed view of an individual's substance use history. Consequently, organizations can make better-informed decisions regarding employee reliability and past substance involvement.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the significant advantages of hair follicle tests in Marlton, MD is their tamper-resistant nature. This method drastically minimizes the risk of sample tampering, ensuring integrity in results. With hair testing, businesses and courts receive reliable outcomes that aren't easily manipulated, granting greater confidence in screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers across Marlton, MD and beyond highlights the convenience of our services. With locations nationwide, individuals and businesses can access testing swiftly, eliminating stress and aiding rapid service delivery. Whether local or distant, our centers ensure seamless test availability and customer ease.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Marlton, MD, the hair follicle testing process maintains simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering, conducting, and receiving test results are streamlined, addressing privacy concerns. By removing unnecessary complexities, individuals enjoy a discreet and user-friendly experience, ensuring their personal information remains protected.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable solutions, our hair follicle testing in Marlton, MD also promises a fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing ensures excellent value without compromising on quality. Corporations benefit from minimal wait times for results, gaining efficient, value-driven services conducive to business needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Marlton, MD, hair follicle testing is renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method ensures a high precision level, quickly detecting substance use when needed for critical decisions. By tracing drug presence efficiently, hair testing not only confirms but does so with speed, making it the preferred choice for time-sensitive situations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Marlton, MD achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. Adhering to drug-free workplace policies, businesses can reduce legal exposure while promoting a safer work environment. Hair tests provide dependable evidence supporting policy reinforcement, enhancing organizational security and well-being.

Drug Testing Near Marlton, MD

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Greater Upper Marlboro, MD

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Croom, MD

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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