Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oxon Hill, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is being recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When cut close to the scalp, hair offers an approximately 3-month detection span for alcohol and substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, modifying it is relatively challenging, and it can be transported without difficulty.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (equal to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the preferred amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. Scalp hair refers solely to head hair, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in laboratory processing for a drug test outcome consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where the sample is integrated into the laboratory's system. This step includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug presence in most samples, any positive screening requires confirmation to be accepted in legal settings. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is found to be presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples tentatively positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to tamper: Tampering with a hair drug test is exceedingly hard, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers usage history: It can depict a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing over urine tests in Oxon Hill, MD? The benefits include

• Superior detection accuracy
• Longer detection windows

Hair tests are less prone to tampering, making them a reliable choice for those enforcing strict policies.

Unlike traditional methods, hair tests do not rely on recent use alone, offering a broader spectrum of substance usage insights.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a major advantage in Oxon Hill, MD. Unlike urine tests, hair tests detect drug usage over an extensive period, up to 90 days. This comprehensive view of substance history aids employers in making more informed decisions about potential and current employees.

Long-term drug patterns are revealed, offering insights into consistent substance use, enhancing the reliability of the test results.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Oxon Hill, MD, is valued for its tamper-resistant methods, which significantly minimize the risk of sample adulteration.

• This ensures the integrity and reliability of results.
• Employers and authorities have greater confidence in these test results.

Hair tests are difficult to manipulate, providing an accurate measurement of substance use history compared to urine tests, thereby establishing trust in the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations throughout Oxon Hill, MD, Accredited Drug Testing ensures seamless access to services.

• Nationwide centers are readily available for quick and hassle-free testing.
• Local facilities offer easy accessibility to ensure all testing needs are met efficiently.

Our infrastructure supports effective testing options, guaranteeing prompt service across locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Oxon Hill, MD, our process is simple and confidential.

• Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined for ease of use.
• Concerns about privacy are addressed comprehensively.

The process is user-friendly and respects individual privacy, making it an attractive choice for employers and employees alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing with a fast turnaround in Oxon Hill, MD.

• Our competitive pricing structure ensures excellent value.
• Quick processing times provide peace of mind for businesses of all sizes.

Companies can rely on our efficiency to minimize downtime, ensuring continuous operations without compromising on cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Oxon Hill, MD, hair follicle testing offers fast, accurate, and reliable results that eclipse other testing methods.

• This precision ensures substances are detected with more accuracy than urine tests.
• Employers benefit from swift and precise assessments, making hair tests a trusted choice.

Hair follicle testing stands out with its high accuracy. Such tests ensure that even minimal substance use is detected, providing reliable data crucial for informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Oxon Hill, MD, gain peace of mind with the compliance that hair follicle tests assure.

• Such testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies.
• By reducing legal risks and enhancing safety, these tests support a healthier work environment.

Using reliable testing aids employers in maintaining standards and promoting a secure, compliant workplace, making it a preferred choice over other methods.

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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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