Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mattawoman, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. It maintains a historical record of drug and alcohol markers by embedding them in the structure of growing hair. Hair taken near the scalp offers a detection scope of roughly up to 90 days for substances and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplements, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale is advised. If hair on the scalp is non-existent, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, the reference is strictly to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (beard, armpits, etc.).

Process Summary

The key phases in the lab process of generating a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Verification.

Accessioning refers to the first phase of incorporating a sample into the lab's systems. This consists of confirming the correct sealing and dispatch of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry absent in an electronic custody chain.

Screening constitutes an initial brisk evaluation for drug abuse. While Screening serves as a budget-friendly method to rule out drug intake for most samples, a positive Screen must be corroborated for court validity. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the prior sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternate methodologies (like urine or saliva), hence why hair drug examination is considered highly challenging to execute.

Verification of any positive screening output occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before verification. The full lab sequence from Accessioning to Verification is assessed per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair analysis identifies substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Low susceptibility to tampering: Cheating a hair drug analysis is quite challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It supplies a usage pattern of substances over time, not limited to recent intake.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent intake: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result discrepancies: Variables such as hair hue and individual growth differences can influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Mattawoman, MD, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in numerous ways. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, uncovering a broader spectrum of drugs over a prolonged period. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can trace substance usage months back, making it a formidable choice for employers and courts alike.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Mattawoman, MD, provides an extended detection period of up to 90 days, significantly longer than other methods. This affords employers a full view of an individual's drug use history, offering reassurance in hiring or monitoring decisions. Employers benefit from this expansive window for a comprehensive assessment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing drastically cuts down on the chance of sample tampering in Mattawoman, MD. Due to its inherent nature, this method ensures the integrity of the sample, providing credible and definitive results. The challenges of falsifying hair tests make them an invaluable tool for drug misuse assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a wide network of testing facilities, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access in Mattawoman, MD, and nationwide. Our strategically placed centers guarantee a quick, straightforward testing experience without hassle. This ease of access helps fulfill varying testing needs efficiently and effectively.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Mattawoman, MD, our hair follicle test process is both simple and discreet. From ordering to receiving results, each step considers privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns efficiently. The painless nature reassures individuals, ensuring a stress-free experience with confidential handling every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Mattawoman, MD, offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround for hair follicle tests, ensuring outstanding value for businesses big and small. This affordable structure complements companies' need for effective testing without fiscal strain, promising both economy and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and precision of hair follicle testing make it a go-to option in Mattawoman, MD. The quick processing time and high accuracy in identifying substance use ensure reliable results for both personal and professional testing needs. This method's rapid turnaround gives prompt and decisive outcomes, assisting in timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Mattawoman, MD, hair follicle testing supports workplace drug-free policy compliance, giving employers peace of mind. Reducing legal liabilities and bolstering workplace safety are key benefits, reinforcing a wholesome work environment. Employing this testing method ensures adherence to policy regulations seamlessly.

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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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