Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eddington, ME

What it is, How it works

The analysis of hair specimens has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the strands' fibers, hair offers an extended record of substance use. If hair is taken near the scalp, it can show drug use for nearly three months. The collection process is straightforward, it is relatively immune to tampering, and the sample is easy to send.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent in thickness to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing. For EtG, additional modules, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent portion of body hair is permissible. When we mention head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses facial, axillary, and other types.

Process Overview

Laboratory drug testing comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is registered into the lab’s catalog. This phase includes validating the sample's seal and transport, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not managed by an automated custody system.

During Screening, an initial scan is performed to detect common drugs. Although Screening economically eliminates drug presence in most samples, any positive results must be verified for legal credibility. Samples that test positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should the Screening indicate a potential positive, additional hair is utilized from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower levels compared to other testing techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), posing a challenge for hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of a tentative positive result is carried out using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples preliminarily marked positive during Screening are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the standards set by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to the shorter period offered by urine tests.
• Resistant to tampering: Manipulating the outcome of a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Chronicles usage: Offers an overview of drug usage patterns over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically take 5-7 days to register in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Concentrations of drug metabolites in hair can be influenced by factors such as hair color and individual hair growth rates.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eddington, ME
Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy when compared to traditional urine tests. This method provides a longer detection window of drug use, extending up to 90 days. This level of reliability and thoroughness expands the possibilities for employers and legal authorities to maintain a safe and compliant environment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eddington, ME
Hair follicle testing in Eddington, ME, stands out with its extended detection period, covering up to 90 days of potential drug use. This provides employers a holistic view of an individual's drug history, thereby ensuring a safer workplace by assessing long-term patterns rather than short-term behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eddington, ME
One of the major advantages of hair follicle tests is their resistance to tampering. In Eddington, ME, this method significantly lowers the chance of sample adulteration, offering trustworthy and indisputable results. This makes it a top choice for reliable drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eddington, ME
Our extensive network of testing centers, including those in Eddington, ME, ensures seamless access to hair follicle testing services. This convenience means you get efficient, reliable results without the hassle, saving both time and effort.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eddington, ME
Our hair follicle testing process in Eddington, ME, is designed to be both straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, our system prioritizes user privacy and ease, ensuring a stress-free experience for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eddington, ME
We offer competitive rates and quick response times for hair follicle testing in Eddington, ME. Our pricing structure provides excellent value, making it a viable option for companies of any size looking for fast and reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eddington, ME
In Eddington, ME, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its precision and rapid processing. These tests offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use, giving you confidence in the results they provide. Hair testing not only detects drug use effectively, but it also ensures that findings are delivered swiftly, aiding in timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eddington, ME
Implementing hair follicle testing ensures that employers in Eddington, ME, are compliant with drug-free workplace policies. It minimizes legal risks, enhances safety, and provides assurance that employees adhere to the organization's standards.

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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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