Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Morningside, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and hassle-free to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount needed for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a larger specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. It is important to note that when we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties, like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory system. This process entails verifying the proper sealing and transportation of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducting any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug usage for the bulk of samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal admissibility. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate secondary verification.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection timeframe of urine tests.
• Difficulty in falsification: It is challenging to manipulate hair drug tests, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can outline a drug use pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of revealing recent use: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The hair follicle test displays marked superiority over the urine analysis, particularly when looking at extended detection horizons in Morningside, MD. Primarily, it outperforms with its ability to identify past substance uses, proving invaluable for employers who wish to enforce stringent policies effectively. Notably, its thoroughness and precision in capturing data sets it apart.

• Extended Detection Window
• Less Susceptibility to Manipulation
• Observational Sample Collection

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Morningside, MD is its ability to identify drug use within an extensive 90-day timeframe. This provides employers a detailed look into the long-term history of a potential or existing employee's substance consumption. This longer detection period is crucial for fostering a healthier, safer workplace.

Utilizing hair samples, this testing method ensures comprehensive substance history analysis, creating an advantage for employers interested in maintaining a productive and reliable work environment. With our detailed reports, the insights gained aid in making well-informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle methodologies in Morningside, MD effectively shut down avenues for sample tampering, ensuring credibility and robust results. Unlike other tests, the hairs collected duty-bound verify authenticity and resist manipulation.

Integrity of the samples is maximized as the method deters adulteration or substitution. Enhanced visibility into substance histories elevates trust in results, a critical attribute for both courts and workplaces.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing’s extensive network features laboratories not only nationwide but also includes Morningside, MD locations, making access to services both simple and efficient. Providing convenience at its core, our local facilities ensure quick solutions free of unnecessary delays.

Whether local or across the country, our network guarantees that testing services remain accessible. Rapid testing access empowers decision-makers with swift, precise evidence for urgent needs without undue travel hassles.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle test in Morningside, MD is characterized by a streamlined, discrete process that respects personal privacy. Ordering, undergoing the test, and receiving results remains straightforward, addressing any apprehension about user-friendliness and confidentiality.

Ensuring privacy and safeguarding test participants' details are prioritized throughout. This accessible procedure is designed to be hassle-free, culminating in results that endorse transparency whilst honoring privacy rights.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Morningside, MD emphasizes competitively priced hair follicle tests, delivering value along with swift result turnovers for businesses of varying scales. Leveraging efficient methodologies ensures timely data delivery.

The cost-effective plans paired with fast service encourage companies to make informed choices. High-quality service is provided without breaking budgets, confirming affordability as a key component of our offering.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Situated in Morningside, MD, our hair follicle testing offers precise and quick results. Its unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance usage is key, making it a preferred choice. The advanced technology employed ensures a rapid response time, while maintaining reliable detection processes. Our local facility promises both swiftness and accuracy, welcoming those who prioritize excellence in testing.

Furthermore, the method assures a high degree of reliability. The technology in use captures every needed detail about substance use, effectively removing any guesswork from the equation. The swift process simultaneously enhances turnaround speed and ensures that accuracy remains uncompromised through every step of the process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring compliance along with offering peace of mind, our hair follicle testing in Morningside, MD underpins workplace safety and policy adherence. It mitigates legal liabilities while enhancing employee performance by maintaining drug-free zones.

Employers can confidently rely on results that align with workplace statutes. The comprehensive reviews fostered through these tests provide assurance and are integral in safeguarding against potential infractions from substance abuse.

Drug Testing Near Morningside, MD

Temple Hills, MD

Walker Mill, MD

Andrews AFB, MD

Silver Hill, MD

Suitland, MD

District Heights, MD

Suitland-Silver Hill, MD

Camp Springs, MD

Forestville, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews