Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Waterview, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to almost 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or more than 10-panel tests, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If there is no scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the preliminary handling of a sample in a lab system. It verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputs any additional data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary, quick evaluation for drug abuse. Although Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug use in the majority of cases, a positive result must be verified for legal acceptability. Any samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

If the Screening process yields a presumptive positive result, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation, as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can detect drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter timeframe.
• Difficult to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine testing in Waterview, MD. Its superior detection accuracy and reliability provide confidence to employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals. Unlike urine tests, hair testing covers a longer detection window, making it an invaluable tool for ensuring safety and compliance with zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

One of the most compelling reasons for choosing hair follicle testing in Waterview, MD, is its extended detection window. Capable of revealing drug use for up to 90 days, this method allows employers to assess an individual's long-term substance habits. By offering a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's substance history, hair tests provide actionable insights.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Waterview, MD, are a highly tamper-resistant method of drug testing. By significantly lowering the risk of sample adulteration, these tests ensure the credibility of results. Their resilience to tampering makes them a highly trusted option for employers aiming to enforce drug-free workplace policies and maintain the integrity of their substance testing programs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing makes drug testing services accessible with convenient nationwide centers, including locations in Waterview, MD. Our extensive network ensures swift, easy access to professional testing. This hassle-free approach provides employers with peace of mind, knowing they can rely on quick and efficient testing services wherever they are needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from a hair follicle test in Waterview, MD, is designed to be simple and confidential. The privacy of all participants is respected, addressing any concerns over personal information. This streamlined approach to testing makes it straightforward, ensuring employees and employers feel comfortable and informed throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers hair follicle drug tests in Waterview, MD, at competitive pricing, emphasizing both affordability and quick turnaround times. This combination delivers excellent value, meeting the needs of companies of all sizes. Our efficient service provides peace of mind, ensuring that businesses have access to reliable testing without exceeding budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Waterview, MD, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use is unparalleled, ensuring results you can trust. Rapid processing means that results are delivered quickly, empowering employers with prompt and reliable insights. The swift and reliable nature of hair testing makes it a preferred choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Waterview, MD, can enjoy peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free policies. By reducing legal liabilities and enhancing workplace safety, these tests provide a reliable framework for employers to adopt. The robust nature of hair testing alleviates concerns regarding employee substance use, fostering a safer work environment.

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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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