Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pleasant Grove, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term biomarkers of alcohol and other substances within its growing fibers. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use over a 3-month time frame. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, it is advised to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is entered into a lab's system. This includes ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry not already provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use for most samples, any positive results must be confirmed to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

A sample showing presumptive positivity during Screening undergoes further preparation in the Extraction stage, where drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positivity are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under 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 indicate drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty in deception: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historic usage patterns: It provides a timeline of drug use, not merely recent exposure.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the examination evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pleasant Grove, MD

Hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. It provides superior detection accuracy and reliability, giving employers a clearer insight into substance use patterns. The comprehensive results from hair testing make it the preferred choice over urine tests, which may not detect longer-term usage.
Employers benefit from the unparalleled precision provided by hair testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Pleasant Grove, MD

Hair follicle testing extends detection capabilities up to 90 days. This long-term view offers employers a broader assessment of an individual's substance history, crucial information for pre-employment screenings.
By analyzing hair samples, employers gain a more rounded perspective on potential or current employees' past drug use, facilitating informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pleasant Grove, MD

Hair follicle tests have a reputation for being highly tamper-resistant, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This delivers reliable, trustworthy results, standing head and shoulders above other testing methods.
Employers appreciate this robustness in safeguarding against potential cheating or manipulation in drug tests, ensuring authenticity in results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Pleasant Grove, MD

Access to testing services is made easy with our numerous nationwide centers. Accredited Drug Testing offers swift, effortless access in Pleasant Grove, MD, prioritizing customer convenience and efficiency.
With practical locations, testing becomes hassle-free, allowing participants to focus on receiving accurate and timely results.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Pleasant Grove, MD

The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and respects individual privacy. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving results, the confidentiality of participants is a top priority.
The entire procedure is designed to be user-friendly, addressing potential concerns and ensuring comfort for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pleasant Grove, MD

Accredited Drug Testing delivers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for companies of any size. Our cost-effective services make high-quality drug testing accessible.
With swift result delivery, employers receive critical insights into drug use without a long wait, providing peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pleasant Grove, MD

Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speedy delivery of results. Unlike other testing methods, these tests offer high accuracy in uncovering substance use. Such reliability is particularly valuable for employers seeking confidence in the testing process.
With swift processing times, results are returned promptly, ensuring informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pleasant Grove, MD

Employers can ensure compliance with drug-free policies by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and promotes a safe working environment.
The assurance in results from a trusted testing method allows businesses to operate with confidence, knowing their workforce adheres to company standards.

Drug Testing Near Pleasant Grove, MD

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Clarksville, MD

Savage-Guilford, MD

Savage, MD

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Simpsonville, 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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