Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Somerset, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged history of drug and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use over a period of roughly three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of around 200 strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If head hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Bodily hair comprises other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary stages in lab processing for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the primary handling of a sample into the lab system. This includes confirming the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not provide.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for drug abuse. While it is an economical approach to dismiss most samples' drug use, a positive screen must be validated for legal admissibility. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

For samples that are presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the primary specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging process to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive outcomes undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The whole laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and 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 shorter detection times.
• Hard to deceive: It is incredibly hard to circumvent a hair drug test, leading to more reliable results.
• Shows usage history: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other drug testing types.
• Variable results: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", in fact, the test assesses the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Somerset, MD: Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy, covering a broader time frame. This method ensures greater reliability, which is crucial for employers, legal authorities, and health professionals.

Hair testing stands out due to its ability to retrospectively detect substance use, thus offering a clearer, more comprehensive assessment. This makes it a more effective choice for those seeking detailed information about substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Somerset, MD: One significant advantage of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect past drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This testing method gives employers an insightful overview of an employee or candidate’s substance history, aiding in making informed decisions.

For employers, this extended window offers a more thorough understanding of an individual’s past behavior, assisting in maintaining a substance-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Somerset, MD: Hair follicle testing is a robust method that minimizes the risk of sample tampering. This ensures that results are both reliable and trusted, greatly reducing the chances of adulteration.

With its inherent resistances to manipulation, hair testing provides unquestionable outcomes, making it a dependable choice for critical testing situations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Somerset, MD: With extensive testing centers distributed nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access to hair follicle testing services. This broad availability allows for easier, hassle-free testing experiences for everyone.

Local accessibility ensures that individuals and organizations can quickly undergo necessary testing without the burden of traveling far distances.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Somerset, MD: The framework for initiating, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. This simplicity addresses privacy concerns, making the process comfortable and secure for all participants.

Emphasizing ease of use, the structured yet user-friendly process ensures that confidentiality is maintained at every step, catering to sensitive client needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Somerset, MD: Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive prices for hair follicle testing, ensuring financial feasibility for businesses of all sizes. Quick result turnaround times complement this affordability, delivering valuable service benefits.

Companies benefit from reasonable pricing combined with efficient processing times, gaining confidence in the high quality and reliability of test results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Somerset, MD: Hair follicle drug testing delivers high precision and speed in results, making it a preferred method for many. This type of test accurately detects substance use, providing dependable results that support both individual and organizational needs.

For those looking for efficient testing solutions, hair follicle tests offer a quick yet thorough method to identify drug or alcohol use. Results are not only reliable but also processed swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Somerset, MD: Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, offering reliable results that reinforce legal compliance. This approach not only reduces risks but also promotes a safer work environment.

Employers gain significant benefits, such as reducing legal vulnerabilities and enhancing overall workplace safety, thus ensuring peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Somerset, MD

Unionville, MD

Waterview, MD

Princess Anne, MD

Mount Vernon, MD

Nanticoke, MD

Smith Island, MD

Ewell, MD

Chance, MD

Deal Island, MD

Dames Quarter, MD

Wenona, MD

Lawsonia, MD

Crisfield, MD

Fairmount, 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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