Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Gate, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by securely retaining biomarkers in the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to around 3 months for both drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively tough to alter, and convenient to dispatch.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (resembling a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent measure of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step confirms that the sample was properly sealed and transported, generates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial preliminary check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-saving approach to exclude drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening do mandate an additional confirmation.

Should a specimen yield a presumptively positive result during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most challenging approach to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptively positive specimens are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conformity with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter window.
• Difficulty in deception: It is exceptionally challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can portray a drug usage pattern over time, instead of merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in South Gate, MD, the advantages become clear. Hair tests provide superior detection capabilities, offering a higher accuracy level across a longer timespan. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can reveal an extended history of substance use.

Hair follicle testing in South Gate, MD, surpasses urine testing in terms of reliability. With its ability to detect drug use over a much longer period, hair testing offers a thorough review of an individual's history, reducing the chances of error or manipulation commonly found in urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In South Gate, MD, hair follicle testing is renowned for its extended detection window, lasting up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a detailed understanding of an applicant or employee's drug use history, helping in making informed hiring decisions.

The long detection period of hair follicle testing proves invaluable in South Gate, MD. By analyzing drug use over several months, this test offers insights into consistent behavior patterns, which is crucial for maintaining workplace standards and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in South Gate, MD, are designed to prevent tampering, ensuring the integrity of results. This method significantly lowers the risk of sample adulteration, providing truthful and reliable outcomes that employers can trust.

In South Gate, MD, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle drug testing is a significant advantage. Unlike other testing methods, this approach minimizes the chance of falsifying results, giving organizations confidence in the outcomes they receive.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing boasts numerous testing centers, including local options in South Gate, MD, for convenient access. Our nationwide presence ensures that employees and individuals can efficiently undergo testing processes without hassle.

In South Gate, MD, the availability of local and nationwide testing centers simplifies the process for individuals seeking hair follicle drug tests. This extensive network ensures that accessing testing services is both quick and stress-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in South Gate, MD, is straightforward and private. Individuals can easily order, take, and receive their results confidentially, ensuring that concerns regarding privacy are adequately addressed.

In South Gate, MD, hair follicle testing prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. Our hassle-free approach allows individuals to feel secure and comfortable, as they navigate the testing process with ease while resting assured of their privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle testing in South Gate, MD, is an affordable solution for businesses of all sizes. Paired with rapid turnaround times, our testing services deliver excellent value, allowing companies to effectively manage costs while ensuring quality results.

In South Gate, MD, businesses benefit from both affordable pricing and quick turnaround with hair follicle testing. This combination promises peace of mind, as organizations can count on receiving comprehensive results without undue delay or expense.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug tests in South Gate, MD, is unmatched. These tests are designed to provide quick, accurate results, helping in the identification of substance use effectively. With advanced detection capabilities, hair analysis stands out as an efficient method for employers and organizations who prioritize accuracy.

In South Gate, MD, opting for hair follicle testing ensures you receive fast results. The test is adept at picking up even trace amounts of substances, making it a preferred choice. By leveraging modern technology, hair tests offer both reliability and speed in the drug screening process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in South Gate, MD, hair follicle testing offers compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks associated with drug use, this testing method ensures employees adhere to safety standards, thereby promoting a safe work environment.

Implementing hair follicle testing in South Gate, MD, brings peace of mind to employers. This method helps in maintaining compliance with legal regulations, supporting a drug-free workplace and bolstering organizational safety and security.

Drug Testing Near South Gate, MD

Rockville, MD

North Bethesda, MD

Colesville, MD

Norwood, MD

Wheaton, MD

Sherwood, MD

North Kensington, MD

Wheaton-Glenmont, MD

Glenmont, MD

Layhill, MD

Norbeck, MD

Rossmoor, MD

Leisure World, MD

Aspen Hill, 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