Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Carver, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When samples are collected close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, the hair is somewhat resilient to tampering, and it is simple to mail.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for testing and verification. For EtG add-ons or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to use 150mg of the hair sample. Using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement is advised. In the absence of scalp hair, collecting an equal amount from body hair is acceptable. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair, on the other hand, includes all other types (such as facial and underarm hair).

Process Overview

The process of lab examination for a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the procedure of registering a sample within a lab’s database, confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input not handled by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary check to identify drug use. While this stage is an economical method to rule out drug use in most cases, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation for legal reliability. Samples that test presumptively positive in this stage must undergo a secondary confirmation process.

In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a much more diluted concentration compared to other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluids), underscoring the complexity of conducting hair drug analysis.

Any positive results from the screening phase are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before final confirmation as required. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is thoroughly reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use patterns for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a notably shorter detection period.
• Harder to tamper with: The difficulty in falsifying results leads to higher accuracy in hair drug testing.
• Provides data over time: Hair tests offer a comprehensive view of substance use patterns over time, rather than indicating mere recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate usage: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is costlier in comparison to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as individual hair color and growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often misnamed as "hair follicle tests", this procedure examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug testing methods in Carver, MA, hair follicle testing offers clear advantages over traditional urine tests. Not only do they deliver superior detection accuracy, but hair tests also provide reliability that urine tests often lack. This method ensures that employers and legal entities have a more dependable way to evaluate and monitor substance use effectively.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing is unparalleled in providing a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history, with a detection window extending up to 90 days. In Carver, MA, employers benefit from this extended period, gaining insight into an applicant or employee's substance use patterns. This extensive timeline aids in making informed decisions about workplace safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Carver, MA, hair follicle tests are renowned for their resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less susceptible to adulteration, ensuring the integrity of results. Employers can trust this method to provide unquestionable outcomes, reducing the risk of false negatives or tampered samples in the screening process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering wide accessibility, our testing centers in Carver, MA, and nationwide provide a convenient solution for drug testing needs. This extensive network ensures that testing is quick, easy, and hassle-free, allowing individuals and companies to access our services with minimal disruption to their schedules.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Carver, MA, the process of hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is tailored for privacy and ease of use. Clients can trust that their information remains secure throughout the process, addressing any concerns about confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Carver, MA make hair follicle testing an attractive choice for companies. Organizations of all sizes benefit from our affordability, receiving excellent value without compromising on the speed and accuracy of results. This balance ensures cost-efficiency and prompt decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Carver, MA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. Offering reliable detection of substance use, these tests quickly provide employers with accurate results, ensuring timely decisions about applicants or employees. Hair analyses are methodically conducted, leading to superior accuracy and helping organizations maintain high standards in the workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Carver, MA can enjoy peace of mind and greater compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and enhances overall safety. With the ability to detect substance use over a longer period, employers ensure adherence to regulations while promoting a secure working 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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