Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Matthews, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of alcohol and substances by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand's fibrous structure. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month period of possible drug and alcohol presence. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For tests involving EtG, additional compounds, and/or beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen weight is recommended. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Our reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the introduction of a sample into the lab's system. This step involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening is a preliminary, cost-efficient method to detect potential drug abuse. While Screening effectively eliminates drug presence for most samples, positive results necessitate confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples with presumptive positives during Screening require follow-up confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves separating the drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accentuating the complexity of hair drug screening methodology.

Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is verified under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category, adhering to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug consumption up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Resistance to manipulation: Hair drug tests are challenging to deceive, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical usage data: It charts drug use patterns over time, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Matthews, MD, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair assessments can detect a broader range of substances over a more extended period compared to traditional urine tests. This reliability makes it instrumental for employers seeking confidence in their workforce's substance-free status while minimizing false negatives.

Extended Detection Window

In Matthews, MD, the extended detection window of hair follicle tests provides employers with a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, up to 90 days. This prolonged monitoring period enables companies to make informed decisions based on a more complete picture of an applicant’s or employee's behaviors, fostering safer work environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Matthews, MD, offers a tamper-resistant method, reducing the risk of sample adulteration significantly. Unlike urine tests, where samples can be easily manipulated, hair tests provide reliable and unquestionable results. This feature is crucial for organizations looking to enforce strict, undebatable drug-free policies effectively.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Matthews, MD, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free. These locations ensure that individuals and companies can receive timely testing without logistical challenges, enhancing the accessibility of drug testing services across various locales.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Matthews, MD, is simple and confidential, ensuring that individuals can order, take, and receive results without concerns about privacy. The seamless process contributes to a user-friendly experience, addressing personal and professional needs efficiently while safeguarding privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Matthews, MD, hair follicle drug testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes. These cost-effective solutions ensure that organizations do not have to compromise on quality or speed, supporting their operational and safety objectives effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Matthews, MD, stands out for providing precise and swift hair follicle drug tests. These assessments ensure high accuracy in detecting substance use, offering quick results that businesses can rely on. The method’s combination of speed and reliability makes it an ideal choice for timely decision-making, helping organizations maintain their standards without unnecessary delays.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Matthews, MD, ensures that employers can maintain compliance with workplace drug-free mandates, reducing legal risks. This approach enhances workplace safety by ensuring comprehensive monitoring of substance use, thereby offering peace of mind to employers and contributing to a secure working atmosphere.

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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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