Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bedford, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged historical record of alcohol and substances by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to nearly a 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, reasonably challenge-proof to adulterate, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hairs (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or exams beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair may be gathered. In the context of head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the laboratory assessment of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This encompasses confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in the majority of cases, a positive screen must be substantiated for courtroom admissibility. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging method to execute.

Validation of any positive screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation per requirements. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited 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 window: Hair drug tests can detect substance use for up to 90 days, in contrast with urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenge in falsifying: It is exceedingly challenging to compromise a hair drug test, contributing to higher accuracy of results.
• Delivers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of substance use over an extensive interval, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests in Bedford, MA due to its superior detection capability and reliability. The extended drug detection timeline gives a more detailed history of substance use, unlike the short detection window urine tests provide. This makes hair tests a preferred choice for employers and courts demanding rigorous drug screening protocols.

Additionally, hair testing resists evasion tactics often used to fool urine tests, heightening its reliability. Its accuracy extends reassurance to employers and legal entities in maintaining stringent drug-free standards.

Extended Detection Window

The benefit of hair follicle testing in Bedford, MA lies in its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This extensive detection window surpasses traditional testing methods, offering a broader overview of an individual’s substance history. For employers, this means a more comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's long-term habits.

Hair tests encapsulate a wider period of drug use, providing assurance and peace of mind that no recent developments in substance use remain undiscovered, ultimately enhancing hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bedford, MA, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant method for drug testing that minimizes risks of sample adulteration. The methodology makes it extremely challenging for results to be manipulated, ensuring that tests remain reliable and valid.

This reliability enhances trust in the testing process for employers, as the collection process is difficult to subvert. This level of tamper resistance fortifies the trust employers place in drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Bedford, MA, our extensive network of nationwide testing locations, including local centers, ensures a convenient testing process. These sites provide seamless access to services, significantly reducing logistical complexities for individuals and businesses alike.

Our broad coverage means fast, efficient testing is never far away, supporting easy access to crucial drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bedford, MA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and ensures privacy from ordering to receiving results. Confidentiality remains a top priority, with systems in place to uphold discretion at each stage.

This user-friendly process alleviates concerns around transparency and privacy, simplifying a typically complex task. Clients can trust that they’ll receive secure and confidential service every step of the way.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Bedford, MA offers competitive pricing strategies alongside swift result turnaround, adding value for businesses of all sizes. Our cost-effective solutions ensure clients receive high-quality service without financial strain.

By blending affordability with rapid service delivery, our clients enjoy timely access to drug test outcomes without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bedford, MA, the speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug testing are unparalleled. Hair testing rapidly delivers precise results, ensuring timely and reliable detection of substances. The high sensitivity of these tests captures even low-level drug use, providing unprecedented precision that ensures employers stay informed.

The swift turnaround and diagnostic certainty that hair follicle testing offers supports quick decision-making processes. Employers benefit from the reliable insights these tests yield, facilitating effective management and a drug-free workplace environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bedford, MA can benefit from hair follicle testing to maintain compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies. By employing hair tests, businesses mitigate legal risks associated with workplace substance misuse, reinforcing safety and adherence to regulations.

These testing protocols facilitate a more secure work environment, offering peace of mind that company and employee interests are both safeguarded effectively.

Drug Testing Near Bedford, MA

Freetown, MA

Rochester, MA

North Westport, MA

Westport, MA

South Westport, MA

Mattapoisett Center, MA

Shore Acres, MA

South Dartmouth, MA

Smith Mills, MA

Dartmouth, MA

Bliss Corner, MA

Fairhaven, MA

New Bedford, MA

Acushnet, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews