Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shepperd, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures indicators of drugs and alcohol within its strands, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When clipped near the scalp, it provides a detection range of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A segment of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) from the scalp equates to 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation processes. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount from body hair can be gathered. Note that head hair strictly refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing in a drug test involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage where a sample is incorporated into the laboratory’s system. Here, proper sealing and shipping of the sample is verified, a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) is assigned, and any supplementary data entry not captured by an electronic custody chain system is completed.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid test for drugs. Although cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, any positive findings during Screening must be validated for court acceptance. Samples that test presumptively positive require secondary Confirmation.

For presumptively positive samples in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a concentration lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies.

Confirmation of a positive screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples that are presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation if required. The process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, offering longer detection compared to shorter spans provided by urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are difficult to cheat, ensuring accuracy of results.
• Reveals usage patterns: Offers insights into drug use trends over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Higher expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other test forms.
• Result variances: Factors such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft, not the follicle under the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Shepperd, MD comes down to superior detection capabilities.

• Hair testing provides a much longer detection window, offering a broader view of substance use.
• Its accuracy surpasses that of traditional urine tests, reducing false positives and negatives.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window offered by hair follicle testing in Shepperd, MD allows up to 90 days of drug use tracking.

• This gives a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history.
• Employers can rely on this long detection period to thoroughly screen applicants and employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method available in Shepperd, MD provides assurance with minimal risk of sample adulteration.

• Hair follicle tests are conducted in an observed manner, reducing the chances of tampering.
• The results are reliable, offering employers confidence in the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Shepperd, MD make accessing testing services easy across the country.

• Our widespread network ensures quick and hassle-free testing.
• This convenience supports businesses and individuals alike, offering local access for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Shepperd, MD involves easy ordering, testing, and secure results handling.

• Privacy is a top priority, ensuring confidentiality at every step.
• The straightforward process is designed to be user-friendly, addressing any concerns about complexity or security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Shepperd, MD offer great value for businesses of all sizes.

• Our competitive pricing structures make premium testing accessible.
• Quick result delivery enhances decision-making, providing reassurance and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Shepperd, MD ensure precision in detecting substance use.

• The quick process delivers accurate results, offering peace of mind and efficient turnaround times.
• This high level of accuracy is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the test results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Shepperd, MD is achieved with hair follicle testing.

• This method ensures alignment with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks.
• By maintaining a safe work environment, employers enhance productivity and meet regulatory 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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