Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stockton, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations are now recognized as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lasting record of these substances by embedding indicators within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to nearly a 90-day window for alcohol and drug detection. The collection of hair is straightforward, alteration is somewhat challenging, and it is convenient to send.

A specimen of about 200 hairs measuring 1.5 inches (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg amount is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of hair from the body may be used. Note that when referencing head hair, we mean only scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal stages in the lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the preliminary processing stage where a sample is introduced to a lab's system. This process entails checking that the sample is properly sealed and mailed, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and carrying out any further data input not supplied via an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary swift evaluation for drug substances. While Screening offers a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use for most samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation before being considered valid within legal proceedings. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. In this stage, substances are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex method to execute.

Verification of any positive screening result is performed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are appropriately washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is scrutinized under the guidelines of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation, as well as the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection duration.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably hard, lending more precision to the results.
• Historical insight: It provides insight into patterns of drug use over an extended period, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: A 5-7 day period is necessary for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs more costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth might influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle drug testing is renowned in Stockton, MD for its unmatched accuracy in detecting substance use, offering a superior alternative to traditional urine tests. The longer detection window intrinsic to hair tests significantly enhances their reliability, effectively capturing drug use over a more extensive period, thereby providing a clearer, more comprehensive insight into an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Stockton, MD extends up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a vital tool for reviewing potential hires or current employees' substance histories. By spanning a significantly longer timeframe compared to other methods, hair testing provides an encompassing view of an individual's drug use profile, supporting informed decision-making in employment practices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Stockton, MD is celebrated for its robust resistance to tampering, making it a dependable choice for accurate drug test results. The method stands out in its ability to prohibit adulteration of samples, unlike alternatives which might be susceptible to manipulation. This tamper-proof quality is essential for ensuring authentic, unquestionable results that employers and legal entities can trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering unmatched convenience, our Stockton, MD locations, alongside other nationwide centers, provide easy access to hair follicle testing. Individuals and companies benefit from our swift, hassle-free testing services available across the country, ensuring quick and effective testing solutions that meet a range of needs and locations, emphasizing our commitment to accessible, high-quality service provision.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Stockton, MD, our straightforward and confidential process for hair follicle testing ensures users have peace of mind. From ordering to receiving results, the emphasis is on ease and privacy. The simplicity of this process addresses any concerns related to privacy, making it easy for individuals to navigate the testing procedure, thus reinforcing our commitment to user-friendly experiences.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Recognized for competitive pricing, our hair follicle testing services in Stockton, MD assure cost-effective options for companies of all sizes. Coupled with fast turnaround times, our services offer excellent value, ensuring that businesses benefit from high-quality testing solutions without financial strain, thus providing assurance and satisfaction to all stakeholders involved.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Stockton, MD, hair follicle drug tests excel in providing fast and precise results, setting a high standard in substance detection accuracy. These tests are known for their reliability, offering dependable insights into substance use patterns. A hallmark of hair follicle testing is its ability to swiftly identify a variety of drugs with impressive precision, ensuring that the results are both reliable and accurate.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Stockton, MD find solace in hair follicle testing due to its assurance of compliance with drug-free workplace policies. The rigorous testing process helps mitigate legal risks while promoting a safe work environment. By adopting this method, employers not only adhere to compliance standards but also enhance their overall workplace safety, fostering a secure and drug-free atmosphere.

Drug Testing Near Stockton, MD

Lutherville-Timonium, MD

Lutherville, MD

Timonium, MD

Putnam, MD

Shawsville, MD

Blackhorse, MD

Madonna, MD

Upper Crossroads, MD

Cockeysville, MD

Shepperd, MD

Monkton, MD

Hess, MD

Sunnybrook, MD

Manor, MD

Jacksonville, 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