Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Arlington, MA

What it is, How it works

Seen as a valuable method, hair testing effectively identifies drug and alcohol consumption. It captures long-term alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. If extracted near the scalp, hair can indicate a detection span of roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for screening and further confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. Should scalp hair not be obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When we mention head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the primary processing step for a sample within a lab's system. This stage ensures the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and performs any additional data input absent from an electronic chain-of-custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid evaluation for drug abuse indicators. Though Screening is an economical approach for discarding drug usage across most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal acceptance. Any samples suggesting a positive result in Screening demand further confirmation.

If a sample suggests positivity during Screening, more hair is extracted from the main specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome relies on GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples indicating presumptive positivity receive a wash prior to confirmation where needed. The entire lab process ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair designation and the accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can detect substance use for as long as 90 days, while urine tests cover a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: It’s extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Reveals usage patterns: It shows a longer-term pattern of drug use, not just recent consumptions.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for identifying recent usage: Drugs need roughly 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as “hair follicle tests”, the assessment actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Arlington, MA, hair follicle drug testing surpasses traditional urine tests because of its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing offers more extensive insight into substance use through its lengthy detection window, whereas urine tests provide narrower temporal detection. Thus, hair testing's ability to reveal longer-term substance patterns makes it a valuable tool for employer assessments and personal evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a standout feature in Arlington, MA. Capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days, this testing method provides an expansive overview of an individual's substance use history. Employers gain a well-rounded understanding of applicants or employees, facilitating informed decision-making in workplace settings where substance history is critical.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Arlington, MA offer a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly curbing the potential for sample adulteration. This security in testing ensures that results remain reliable and indisputable, enabling organizations and individuals to trust the outcomes. Such robust sample integrity is a vital advantage over other testing methods, reinforcing the credibility of results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our convenient network of testing centers across the nation and local locations in Arlington, MA makes getting tested a seamless, hassle-free process. Whether local or nationwide, individuals can access testing services quickly and easily, providing both employers and candidates with time-efficient and stress-free options for their testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Arlington, MA, the simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing is designed with users' privacy and convenience at heart. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results are streamlined to ensure confidentiality. Participants can rely on discreet handling of their information, making the entire experience straightforward and protected.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Arlington, MA, our hair follicle testing services provide excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from our competitive pricing structures, ensuring peace of mind while receiving prompt and accurate results. Such efficiency in testing supports organizations in meeting their operational needs swiftly and economically.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Arlington, MA promise fast, accurate, and reliable results, making them a preferred choice for detecting substance use. These tests stand out due to their ability to deliver precision, offering a high level of accuracy with each evaluation. The efficiency and proficiency of hair testing ensure that individuals and employers alike receive results that are both trustworthy and promptly delivered.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring compliance and peace of mind, hair follicle testing aids employers in Arlington, MA to uphold drug-free workplace policies. By integrating this method, companies minimize legal risks, bolstering workplace safety. Employers gain confidence, knowing their workforce is screened effectively, fostering a secure, compliant working environment.

Drug Testing Near Arlington, MA

Everett, MA

Waltham, MA

Malden, MA

Woburn, MA

Lexington, MA

Cambridge, MA

Somerville, MA

Watertown, MA

Harvard, MA

Winchester, MA

Medford, MA

Belmont, MA

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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