Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Carlisle, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized for its efficacy in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended record of drug and alcohol presence by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When sourced close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness), taken nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for assessment and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses surpassing 10 panels, a specimen quantity of 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is advised. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Referring to head hair specifically denotes scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Overview of the Process

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result is executed through four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This process verifies the sample’s seal and proper shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial swift evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation to be legally accepted. Presumptively positive samples in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair from the original sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. In this phase, the extraction of drugs from hair is achieved at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging approach to execute.

Verification of any positive screening results is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples that test presumptively positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as required. The entire laboratory progression from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards for accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to deception: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, enhancing result precision.
• Offers historical insights: It showcases a pattern of drug use over time, unlike merely highlighting recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Incidental recent use detection: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the underlying hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Carlisle, MA
Comparatively, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests. Employers and professionals experience the benefits of an extended detection window and difficulty in tampering, making hair testing an optimal choice in ensuring truthful results and maintaining safety standards.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Carlisle, MA
Hair follicle tests provide a much broader overview of substance use history, with the ability to trace drug use up to 90 days. This extensive window allows employers to gain a deeper understanding of an applicant or employee’s past substance use, thereby aiding in the assessment of their long-term habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Carlisle, MA
Hair follicle tests dramatically decrease the likelihood of sample adulteration. By ensuring a reliable and consistent testing process, these tests deliver results that are difficult to dispute, offering a robust solution to prevent tampering and maintain the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Carlisle, MA
Our widespread availability of testing centers makes the testing process seamless for all. Nationwide and local facilities ensure that scheduling a test is quick and hassle-free, allowing individuals to access testing services easily and conveniently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Carlisle, MA
The process for ordering, completing, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is both straightforward and confidential. We prioritize privacy and user ease, making the testing process unintimidating and reassuring for those concerned about discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Carlisle, MA
Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times define our hair follicle testing services. This ensures excellent value for all company sizes, providing rapid results without compromising economic efficiency, thus supporting decision-making timelines.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Carlisle, MA
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests set them apart. These tests boast a high degree of accuracy, making them invaluable for detecting substance use effectively. Employers rely on hair testing for its unparalleled capability to provide dependable results quickly, thus streamlining the decision-making process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Carlisle, MA
Utilizing hair follicle testing supports employers in adhering to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces the potential for legal complications and enhances overall workplace safety, offering employers peace of mind and ensuring a compliant operating environment.

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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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