Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Savage, MD

What it is, How it works

Using hair testing has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair can provide an estimated detection period of about three months for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper, and convenient for transportation.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximate size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair—ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, and/or those beyond 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. Reference to head hair pertains only to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process in the laboratory for achieving drug test results follows four key steps, which include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is concerned with the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab’s system. It encompasses checking if the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing extra data input not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances. Although Screening is an economical method for eliminating drug consumption in most samples, a confirmed screen is necessary for it to be court-admissible. Samples that have a presumptive positive result in Screening demand secondary confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive from the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, substances are derived from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is subject to scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug testing can identify substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more restricted detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Altering results of a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals a pattern of substance usage over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not on the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Mount Savage, MD, hair follicle tests have demonstrated superior detection reliability compared to traditional urine tests. The enhanced accuracy stems from their ability to uncover drug use long after consumption, which urine tests miss.

Urine tests, while effective for recent use, pale in efficacy next to hair tests due to a shorter detection window and greater vulnerability to manipulation. Hair testing provides employers with a clear, trustworthy reflection of an individual's prolonged substance use habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
In Mount Savage, MD, hair follicle testing offers an extended drug detection period, reaching up to 90 days. This duration far exceeds that of urine tests, which can only monitor recent drug use.

The long-term detection capability gives employers a thorough insight into an applicant or employee's historical substance use, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of drug habits for work-related purposes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
In Mount Savage, MD, hair follicle tests provide a secure method of drug screening by significantly lowering the likelihood of specimen tampering. This ensures that the results are authentic and hard to dispute.

By circumventing the common issues of sample adulteration, hair testing offers reliable insights into substance use, enhancing trust and confidence among employers seeking verifiable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
In Mount Savage, MD, we boast accessible testing sites nationwide, facilitating quick and straightforward access to hair follicle drug testing services take place without inconvenience.

These strategically located centers confirm that individuals and employers can conduct testing with minimal effort, minimizing disruptions and enhancing the efficiency of the screening process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Mount Savage, MD, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and maintains confidentiality whether ordering, undergoing, or receiving results. Privacy protection and ease of access are paramount, addressing concerns from individuals and businesses alike.

With a hassle-free process, employers and individuals can navigate the necessary steps without complications, reinforcing trust in the testing service's commitment to discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Mount Savage, MD, our competitive pricing alongside rapid result delivery positions hair follicle testing as an attractive choice for businesses of varying sizes.

Companies benefit from both cost-effective testing solutions and swift results, contributing to informed hires and a streamlined employment process without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Mount Savage, MD, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed in identifying substance use. Known for their high accuracy, they significantly reduce false positives and negatives, ensuring employers receive dependable information about their potential hires or current employees.

By leveraging modern technology, hair tests deliver prompt and accurate results, offering assurance and mitigating uncertainties associated with hiring. The precision of hair testing in Mount Savage translates into informed decisions and secure hiring processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
In Mount Savage, MD, employers turn to hair follicle testing to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method of testing reduces legal exposures and promotes a safer working environment.

Adopting hair follicle tests aids in enforcing company policies effectively, providing peace of mind and ensuring the hiring of individuals aligned with company health and safety standards.

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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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