Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mcdaniel, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair drug testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When taken from close to the scalp, hair can indicate usage of alcohol and drugs over roughly the past 3 months. It is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

By collecting a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximating the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, you can acquire 100mg of hair, which is an optimal amount for screening and verification. For tests involving EtG, additional parameters, or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The drug testing process in the laboratory is characterized by four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In the Accessioning stage, a specimen is first processed into the lab's system. This involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data recording not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening phase involves a preliminary assessment for signs of drug misuse. While it is a cost-effective strategy for eliminating potential drug usage across most samples, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation for it to be court-admissible. Samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening therefore require additional confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to be prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques to execute.

Any positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is validated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation standards of ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests allow for the detection of drug usage up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that have shorter detection periods.
• Challenge to manipulate: It is exceedingly difficult to manipulate hair drug tests, thus enhancing their reliability.
• Historical record: It offers a timeline of drug usage over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes between 5-7 days before drugs can be detected in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand itself and not the hair follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing hair follicle and urine tests in McDaniel, MD, reveals distinct advantages. Hair testing surpasses traditional methods by offering extended detection periods and superior accuracy.

Employers find hair tests more reliable. These tests ensure a comprehensive view, unlike urine tests which often fail to present a long-term substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

In McDaniel, MD, hair follicle tests provide a strategic advantage with their extended detection window. Unlike urine tests with limited timeframes, hair tests can reveal substance use up to 90 days prior.

This extended detection period offers employers a more thorough assessment of an individual's substance history, proving invaluable during the hiring process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

McDaniel, MD, professionals trust hair follicle tests for their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less likely to be adulterated, ensuring integrity.

Hair tests safeguard against sample tampering, making them unquestionably reliable. This reliability is crucial for maintaining accurate testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing in McDaniel, MD, and nationwide. Our centers provide quick, hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services.

Accessing testing is simple and geographically convenient, whether you're in McDaniel or elsewhere, ensuring stress-free service access.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in McDaniel, MD, is straightforward and confidential. Ordering a test, taking it, and receiving results follow a clear simple protocol.

This testing method guarantees privacy and ease, alleviating concerns over confidentiality and making it easy to obtain necessary information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In McDaniel, MD, our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. Companies of all sizes benefit from our affordable options.

Businesses enjoy excellent value, ensuring thorough drug testing without financial strain, alongside prompt results for informed decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In McDaniel, MD, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Their accuracy in detecting substance use sets them apart, providing reliable results quickly.

Professional settings benefit from these tests due to their fast turnaround. Results are not only technologically advanced but also consistently accurate, making them a preferred choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in McDaniel, MD, gain peace of mind using hair follicle tests. These tests uphold compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks.

By improving safety and ensuring comprehensive drug testing coverage, businesses can maintain a secure, risk-free 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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