Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Elkridge, MD

What it is, How it works

The detection of drug and alcohol usage has been greatly enhanced through hair testing. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug consumption by retaining biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. If obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage history for up to roughly 90 days. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and effortless to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We advocate weighing the hair specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If hair from the scalp is not available, a corresponding amount of body hair can be utilized. The term head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing drug test outcomes consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This phase includes ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input that an electronic chain of custody system might not provide.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result must be verified to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample gives a tentative positive result during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations in hair than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), which makes hair drug testing the most complex method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire examination process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection timeline: Hair testing can reveal drug use over up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: It is extremely tough to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers past data: It can reveal the pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot uncover recent use: Drugs typically become traceable in hair around 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair tests are generally costlier than other techniques.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence the concentration of drug traces in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the exam analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Elkridge, MD, hair follicle testing clearly outshines traditional urine assessments, chiefly due to its superior detection range. Whereas urine tests may only catch recent usage, hair testing can uncover a lengthier history of substance use.

The key advantage lies in its steadfast detection accuracy, offering results that are excessively dependable. This makes hair testing exceedingly valuable for employers aiming for thorough employee vetting.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Elkridge, MD, find hair follicle testing crucial due to its extended detection window, capturing drug use over the past 90 days. This long detection period provides a thorough view of an employee's drug use history.

This far-reaching detection capability grants companies the confidence to evaluate a more comprehensive picture of an individual’s substance background, ensuring informed decisions are made during recruitment or monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Elkridge, MD, hair follicle tests present a tamper-resistant solution, significantly curtailing the potential for sample adulteration inherent in other testing methods, such as urine tests.

Their design ensures the provision of credible, genuine results that can be fully relied upon by employers and courts alike, minimizing doubts about the sample’s authenticity and integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing in Elkridge, MD, ensures convenient nationwide coverage, enabling swift and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug tests. Proximity to numerous testing centers simplifies the process.

This widespread availability guarantees easy access to necessary testing services, making the procedure stress-free for individuals and employers who seek compliance and accuracy.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering, conducting, and receiving results for hair follicle testing in Elkridge, MD, is a simple and confidential affair. The process is designed with utmost privacy concerns and user-friendliness in mind.

This streamlined approach ensures that individuals can undergo necessary testing without hassle or anxiety, ensuring their personal information remains confidential at all times.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Elkridge, MD, our hair follicle testing is marked by affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times, offering excellent value to employers large and small.

This competitive cost structure ensures that organizations have access to reliable drug testing services without straining budgets, all while guaranteeing quick delivery of dependable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests deliver quick and accurate results in Elkridge, MD, setting a high standard in substance use detection. Their precision in identifying drug and alcohol traces make them the preferred choice for many, reinforcing reliability.

With the ability to pinpoint substance use with high certainty, these tests are invaluable, providing solid assurances about the history of drug consumption with unmatched speed and accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Elkridge, MD, utilizing hair follicle testing fulfills vital compliance requirements for drug-free workplaces, underpinning peace of mind for employers. It mitigates against legal risks and fortifies safety standards.

Such a testing regime bolsters the establishment of a drug-free environment, ensuring that organizations adhere to pertinent regulations smoothly, enhancing overall workplace stability and security.

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