Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Accord, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to approximately a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. The specimen should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four main procedures: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This encompasses verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective way to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methods to execute.

The Confirmation of any positive results is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo a wash before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection time frame: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests provide a shorter detection window.
• Hard to evade: Tampering with a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, rendering results more reliable.
• Historical usage data: It provides a history of drug use over a duration, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result variations: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the subscalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Accord, MA, hair follicle testing offers clear benefits over traditional urine analysis. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide more accurate and longer detection periods. Compromised detection accuracy and reliability issues are minimized, making hair tests a favored choice among employers and judicial systems. This assures a stringent analysis that traditional methods struggle to match.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Accord, MA, stands out for its extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of substance use. This timeframe gives employers a comprehensive grasp of an individual’s drug history, proving instrumental when evaluating personnel for roles that demand complete sobriety. By providing such in-depth insights, businesses can ensure they hire and retain dependable staff.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Accord, MA, is its tamper-resistant nature. These tests significantly diminish the risks of sample adulteration or substitution, ensuring reliability. The stringent procedure for hair collection makes fraudulent attempts virtually impossible, providing a trustworthy verdict on substance use. This security is pivotal for maintaining test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is paramount with accredited drug testing locations available nationwide, including Accord, MA. Our centers are strategically positioned to offer quick and easy access to test facilities. The hassle-free process ensures individuals can undertake tests with minimal delay, aiding both personal and organizational needs in timely manner.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Accord, MA, is straightforward and private. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are designed to be simple, allowing individuals to maintain their confidentiality. This efficient, user-friendly approach alleviates concerns about privacy, ensuring a smooth journey from test initiation to end-results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accord, MA, benefits from competitive pricing and swift turnaround times with our hair follicle testing services. The affordable pricing structures ensure that companies of all sizes can avail comprehensive drug testing without breaking the bank. This ensures great value alongside the assurance of rapid delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency and methodical precision of hair follicle drug tests set them apart in Accord, MA. These tests offer exceptionally accurate readings of substance use, helping employers make informed decisions. By identifying drug traces with a high level of precision, hair tests deliver swift and reliable results, contributing to a safer community. This ensures any detection is well-founded and factual.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Accord, MA, benefit greatly from hair follicle testing, which ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Using these tests helps minimize legal risks, promoting a safer work environment. Peace of mind stems from knowing that the employees are committed to sobriety, thereby fostering productivity and security across organizations.

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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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