Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Carrollton, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of developing hair strands, hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage. When extracted near the scalp, it can provide an estimated span of 3 months for alcohol and drug detection. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The core processes in the lab assessment of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of converting a sample into a laboratory’s database. It encompasses ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data input not already provided by a digital chain of custody system.

Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use in the majority of cases, a positive result must be verified for court admissibility. Samples with suspected positive results need further confirmation.

Should a sample show a potential positive in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is collected and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is among the most complex methodologies to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive samples undergo a cleaning process before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standards ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine analyses which have a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing the result's reliability.
• Historical usage insights: It can depict a drug usage pattern over a timeframe, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detecting drugs in hair generally takes 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolites' concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself assesses the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Excels

In New Carrollton, MD, hair follicle drug tests provide considerable advantages over urine tests in terms of detection accuracy and reliability. The extended window for substance detection ensures a comprehensive overview while minimizing the risks of evasion.

• Extended detection window.
• Reduced risk of test circumvention.
• Consistency in results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Period

The ability to detect drug use over an extensive period, up to 90 days, is a primary advantage of hair follicle testing in New Carrollton, MD. This prolonged detection period offers employers a holistic view of an individual's substance use history.

• Comprehensive assessment over 90 days.
• Insight into long-term substance use.
• Valuable for making informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Against Adulteration

Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the potential for sample tampering, ensuring unquestionable reliability in New Carrollton, MD. The supervised collection process enhances confidence in the results, making them more dependable.

• Minimal risk of sample tampering.
• Secure collection process.
• Reliable and unwavering results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Access Nationwide

With numerous testing locations across New Carrollton, MD, and nationwide, obtaining a hair follicle test is both easy and convenient. Clients benefit from quick and hassle-free access to testing services.

• Accessible local facilities.
• Streamlined nationwide options.
• Seamless testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Confidential and Straightforward

The hair follicle testing process in New Carrollton, MD, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Clients experience an easy and private journey from ordering to receiving results.

• Smooth ordering process.
• Secure and confidential testing.
• Customer-friendly service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Value and Swift Results

By offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in New Carrollton, MD, hair follicle testing provides substantial value to businesses, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising on efficiency.

• Competitive pricing.
• Fast result delivery.
• Excellent value for businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed in Drug Testing

In New Carrollton, MD, hair follicle drug tests offer a combination of high precision and swift results. The accuracy in substance detection through hair sampling is unmatched, making it the preferred method for reliable assessments.

• Ensures accurate detection of substances.
• Quick processing time for results.
• Ideal for ensuring workplace compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers' Assurance

Employers in New Carrollton, MD, derive peace of mind from the use of hair follicle testing, which guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This not only safeguards compliance but also heightens safety and reduces legal liabilities.

• Ensures adherence to policies.
• Mitigates legal issues.
• Enhances workplace safety.

Drug Testing Near New Carrollton, MD

College Park, MD

Glenarden, MD

Dodge Park, MD

Riverdale Park, MD

Landover, MD

Springdale, MD

Greenbelt, MD

Berwyn Heights, MD

Goddard, MD

Landover Hills, MD

East Riverdale, MD

Seabrook, MD

Lanham-Seabrook, MD

Lanham, 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.

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