Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mattapex, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a crucial method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by trapping biomarkers in the strands of hair as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can provide roughly a 3-month timeline of drug and alcohol use. The collection process is straightforward, it's hard to tamper with, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG tests, add-ons, and screenings over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measurement. If scalp hair cannot be retrieved, collect an equivalent amount of body hair. When talking about head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result process in a laboratory follows four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first phase where a sample is integrated into a laboratory's system. This step includes ensuring the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a specific LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method of ruling out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any sample that tests presumptively positive in Screening calls for further verification.

If the sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample and set up for Extraction. In this step, drugs are drawn out from hair at a much lower concentration when compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptive positive are washed before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is rigorously reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have briefer detection periods.
• Hard to falsify: Manipulating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, improving the reliability of the results.
• Offers usage trends: It reveals a record of drug use over time, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although sometimes referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test focuses on analyzing the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mattapex, MD: Hair follicle testing stands head and shoulders above urine testing in terms of detection accuracy and reliability. With a longer detection window and greater resistance to tampering, hair tests provide a more comprehensive look into an individual's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mattapex, MD: Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing can detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This provides employers with an inclusive view of an individual's substance-related activities over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mattapex, MD: The hair follicle test minimizes tampering risk significantly, yielding dependable and conclusive results. This ensures the authenticity of the test, reducing the chances of fraudulent outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Mattapex, MD: Our extensive network of testing centers provides swift, convenient, and seamless access to hair follicle testing services across the nation and locally in Mattapex.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Mattapex, MD: We ensure a straightforward, discreet procedure for ordering, conducting, and obtaining results, addressing privacy concerns and making the experience user-friendly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mattapex, MD: Our competitive pricing and quick results offer exceptional value, catering to companies of all sizes who seek comprehensive drug screening solutions without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mattapex, MD: Hair follicle drug tests offer quick and precise results, making them highly accurate in identifying substance use. The efficiency of hair testing allows for rapid turnaround, ensuring that employers receive reliable data promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mattapex, MD:Employing hair follicle testing assists employers in aligning with drug-free workplace mandates, curtails legal pitfalls, and boosts workplace safety through reliable substance use monitoring.

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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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