Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Salem, ME

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

10 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Salem

Minutes Away, Test Today

111 Franklin Health Cmns19.80 miles

111 Franklin Health Cmns
Farmington, ME 4938

430 Franklin St27.72 miles

430 Franklin St
Rumford, ME 4276

57 Fairview Ave29.40 miles

57 Fairview Ave
Skowhegan, ME 4976

149 North St39.17 miles

149 North St
Waterville, ME 4901

32 Railroad St42.22 miles

32 Railroad St
Bethel, ME 4217

125 Main St44.61 miles

125 Main St
Pittsfield, ME 4967

219 Capitol St Ste 247.15 miles

219 Capitol St Ste 2
Augusta, ME 4330

10 Caldwell Rd47.88 miles

10 Caldwell Rd
Augusta, ME 4330

26 Main St Ste 249.13 miles

26 Main St Ste 2
Newport, ME 4953

176 Main St Ste 249.37 miles

176 Main St Ste 2
Norway, ME 4268

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing provides extensive hair follicle drug testing solutions in Salem, Maine. If a hair drug or alcohol test is necessary, Accredited Drug Testing is the expert, offering hair testing services, with facilities located Nationwide. Most tests require 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body. Hair tests are applicable for detecting drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other custom test variations.

In recent developments, drug testing methods increasingly incorporate hair follicle tests. Many organizations, judicial bodies, and addiction specialists prefer hair tests over conventional urine tests. Hair follicle tests are implemented by organizations with strict drug policies, judicial systems, and probationary compliance checks. A significant advantage is the extended detection window, typically lasting up to 90 days, coupled with an observed collection process making it hard to manipulate. However, for detection within the past 5 days, urine tests remain most precise.

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a robust method for revealing drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair shaft's fibers. When collected from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for evaluation and verification. For tests involving EtG, additional components, and/or more than 10 panels, it is advised to have 150mg of the sample. We advise measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent measure of body hair can be gathered. In referring to head hair, we specify scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in a laboratory drug testing process include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This involves checking that the sample was sealed and sent accurately, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as an economical method to dismiss drug usage in the bulk of samples, any positive screen must be verified for legal admissibility. Any specimens indicating a presumptive positive in Screening indeed require an additional confirmation.

Should a specimen indicate a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is taken from the primary sample and readied for Extraction. During this step, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other practices (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair title and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection duration.
  • Cheating complexity: Cheating a hair drug test proves extremely challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
  • Offers historical insight: It can showcase a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

  • Recent use detection inefficiency: Drugs become detectable in hair only after 5-7 days.
  • Higher expense: Hair drug tests generally incur greater costs than alternative drug testing techniques.
  • Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences may impact drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair shaft, excluding the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Salem, ME
Hair testing outshines traditional urine tests, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a more comprehensive drug use profile. Additionally, hair samples are less susceptible to tampering, making them the go-to option for discerning drug use with certainty over extended periods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Salem, ME
Hair follicle testing excels with its ability to detect drug usage over a prolonged period—up to 90 days. This makes it a superior option for employers desiring a holistic view of an individual's drug history. Such an extended detection timeframe allows for informed decision-making regarding employee or candidate substance use behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Salem, ME
The integrity of hair follicle drug tests lies in their resistance to being tampered with. This method provides reliable and indisputable results, significantly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. For both employers and individuals, this translates into an assurance of authenticity and credibility in the test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Salem, ME
With Accredited Drug Testing centers available across the nation, accessing testing services is effortless. Local facilities in Salem offer the convenience of quick, easy, and hassle-free testing options, ensuring that individuals and employers have readily available resources for their drug testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Salem, ME
Our streamlined and discreet process for ordering, executing, and reporting hair follicle test results ensures privacy and ease. Concerned individuals can rely on confidential procedures, making the experience seamless and respecting privacy throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Salem, ME
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift result turnaround times, providing value and peace of mind across company sizes. Employers benefit from cost-effective plans while appreciating the efficient service that supports their business operations without delay.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Salem, ME
Hair follicle drug tests in Salem stand out for their remarkable speed and accuracy. These tests are renowned for swiftly delivering highly precise results, reliably identifying substance use. The meticulous nature of hair testing ensures detection accuracy, offering trustworthy outcomes for both individuals and employers needing timely information.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Salem, ME
Employers in Salem benefit from hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies while reducing legal liabilities. This testing aligns with workplace safety objectives and offers peace of mind, knowing that compliance with industry standards and regulations is maintained through a trusted testing method.

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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Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

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