Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Windsor, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a comprehensive history of substance consumption by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use over a period of up to 3 months. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

To obtain the perfect sample for screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, we're talking about scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, armpit, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes confirming that the sample is sealed and dispatched correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducting any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary, swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though it provides a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive results found in Screening require confirmation to be legally defensible. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening demand secondary verification.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.

Verification of any positive screening findings is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation, as necessary. Each step from Accessioning to Verification is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with shorter duration.
• Hard to alter: Manipulating the results of a hair drug test is notably challenging, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals patterns of drug use over extended periods, not just current consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot indicate recent consumption: Drugs typically require 5-7 days to be detectable in hair strands.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the procedure analyzes the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of opting for hair follicle tests over traditional urine tests in New Windsor, MD are clear. Hair testing provides a superior detection span, reflecting drug use patterns accurately over a longer time frame, whereas urine tests might not capture long-term substance use.

Employers and professionals prefer hair testing for its reliability and comprehensive detection abilities, offering a clearer picture of an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

In New Windsor, MD, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, this method offers employers a deeper insight into one's substance use history.
This extensive detection period is invaluable for gaining a thorough understanding of an employee's or candidate's drug habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in New Windsor, MD is praised for its strong resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, the risk of sample adulteration is significantly minimized, allowing for reliable outcomes.
This tamper-resistant feature assures that the results are trustworthy and reflection of actual substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience in New Windsor, MD with nationwide testing centers. Our extensive network ensures that individuals can easily locate and access testing services without hassle.
This extensive availability simplifies the process of undergoing a drug test, ensuring quick and easy access no matter where you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

In New Windsor, MD, the process of hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From scheduling the test to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and simplicity.
This makes it easy for individuals and organizations to undertake testing without concerns about privacy or complexity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in New Windsor, MD offers competitive pricing and quick result turnaround times. Our affordable options provide excellent value, ensuring businesses of all sizes can benefit from reliable drug testing.
The efficiency of the testing process also provides peace of mind with minimal waiting and expedited results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New Windsor, MD, hair follicle testing stands out for its swiftness and accuracy. These tests reliably identify substance use patterns with unparalleled precision, offering quick outcomes to meet the demand for rapid results.
The intricate analysis of hair samples ensures a high level of accuracy, making it a preferred choice for many seeking dependable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in New Windsor, MD, hair follicle testing is a key to ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind.
The reliability of hair testing supports companies in maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

Drug Testing Near New Windsor, MD

Eldersburg, MD

Mount Airy, MD

Cedarhurst, MD

Woodsboro, MD

District 1, MD

Taneytown, MD

Bruceville, MD

Libertytown, MD

Westminster, MD

District 2, MD

Union Bridge, 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