Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bliss Corner, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term profile of alcohol and drug use by holding biomarkers in the fibers of the maturing hair strand. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month insight into alcohol and drugs use. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which constitutes the ideal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional evaluations, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. The specimen should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. Reference to head hair specifically means scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed to stand as evidence in court. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair in a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to manipulate: It is arduous to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Supplies historical information: It can present a pattern of drug usage over a span of time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than other drug testing alternatives.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors including hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug residues in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine testing in Bliss Corner, MA? Superior detection accuracy is key. Hair tests offer detailed insights and reliability, surpassing traditional urine tests with longer detection times and fewer opportunities to manipulate samples.

Compared to urine testing, hair analysis provides comprehensive substance use insights. Employers value the enhanced detection accuracy, ensuring better adherence to zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

In Bliss Corner, MA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a noteworthy benefit. Unlike standard tests, it traces substance use up to 90 days, providing employers with a thorough view of an individual's history.

This extended timeframe allows organizations to make informed decisions based on a reliable substance use profile. Candidates or employees cannot disguise historical substance use, ensuring transparency and informed choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Bliss Corner, MA, is a tamper-resistant method, minimizing risks of sample manipulation. It delivers reliable, unquestionable outcomes, establishing a dependable foundation for substance testing.

The test's tamper-proof nature provides reassurance, ensuring the results reflect true substance use without doubts of adulteration. This integrity guarantees reliable results that form the basis of decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient nationwide testing locations, including facilities in Bliss Corner, MA. The widespread network ensures hassle-free access to testing services, meeting diverse needs efficiently.

These accessible locations offer quick, easy, and reliable testing solutions. Whether locally or nationwide, individuals and employers benefit from seamless access to essential drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

For individuals in Bliss Corner, MA, our process is simple and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, the procedure is streamlined and respectful of your privacy.

The hassle-free system ensures a user-friendly experience, maintaining confidentiality and simplicity throughout. Clients can trust in straightforward procedures that prioritize privacy alongside efficient outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Bliss Corner, MA, emphasize affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Competitive pricing structures coupled with quick results provide unmatched value for businesses and individuals alike.

Promising excellent value, our testing solutions cater to all organization sizes. With swift turnaround times, clients receive timely results, aligning with both budgetary and operational requirements.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bliss Corner, MA, hair follicle testing stands out for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. The technology ensures high precision and rapid analysis, making it ideal for detecting substance use efficiently.

The accuracy of hair follicle tests surpasses traditional methods, providing dependable data on substance use history. With quick turnaround, employers and individuals can trust the outcomes for informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bliss Corner, MA, achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, it reduces legal risks while promoting a safe working environment.

Through precise and reliable drug testing, hair analysis supports compliance efforts, minimizing legal vulnerabilities. This promotes a safer, more productive workplace, safeguarding both employers and employees.

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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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