Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Charlton, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair presents an extended record of alcohol and substances by holding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When cut close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to nearly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively tamper-resistant, and uncomplicated to send.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, creating the perfect sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is preferred. Using a jeweler’s scale is advisable for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. Reference to head hair pertains strictly to scalp hair. Body hair indicates all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails initially incorporating a sample into the lab's system. This step includes checking that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, designating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary fast assessment for substance abuse. While Screening remains a budget-friendly means to discount drug use in most specimens, a positive screen must be validated to be legally acceptable. Any samples suspected to be positive in Screening do necessitate an additional confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original sample and set for Extraction. Here, substances are withdrawn from hair at a reduced concentration in comparison to other techniques (ex. urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening poses a significant challenge in execution.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation, as necessary. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can trace drug use for as much as 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a briefer detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Conveys temporal data: It reveals a timeline of drug usage, going beyond immediate use.

Limitations:

• Inability to recognize recent usage: It takes nearly 5-7 days for substances to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations generally are pricier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements such as hair dye and individual variances in hair expansion impact the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While typically labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination assesses the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Charlton, MA

Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine testing due to its advanced detection capabilities. In contrast to urine tests, hair analyses offer a more extensive window for identifying drug use, ensuring better accuracy and reliability.

Employers favor hair testing for its precision, making it harder to manipulate results, thereby supporting more informed hiring decisions in Charlton and beyond.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Charlton, MA

Hair follicle testing stands out with its ability to detect drug use over a span of up to 90 days. This extensive detection capability provides employers a detailed overview of a subject’s substance history, which is crucial for assessments.

Such a broad timeframe for detection ensures a more comprehensive understanding of an employee or candidate's drug use patterns, enhancing decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Charlton, MA

The integrity of hair follicle tests is evident as they significantly deter sample adulteration, a common issue with other testing methods. This reliability ensures that results are authentic and less prone to tampering.

Employers can rely on the trustworthiness of hair tests, as they offer a more foolproof approach to detecting substance abuse, reducing the risks associated with unauthorized manipulations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Charlton, MA

Our widespread network of testing centers across the nation, including local services in Charlton, MA, guarantees accessible and straightforward testing solutions.

The convenience offered by our extensive locations ensures that individuals and companies can quickly access testing services without undue hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Charlton, MA

Our streamlined process for ordering, executing, and receiving hair follicle test results prioritizes confidentiality and simplicity, easing concerns about privacy.

Participants in Charlton can rest assured that from start to finish, their privacy is maintained, and the process remains user-friendly, reflecting our commitment to client confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Charlton, MA

Our competitive pricing structures, alongside swift turnaround times, provide excellent value for companies of all sizes looking to enforce their policies on a budget.

Businesses in Charlton benefit not only from cost-effective solutions but also from our rapid delivery of results, enabling timely and informed decisions while experiencing financial savings.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Charlton, MA

Hair follicle drug tests in Charlton swiftly deliver precise results, underscoring their credibility. Their accuracy in identifying substance use makes them an indispensable tool for employers and others who require high confidence in test outcomes.

The efficiency of hair tests does not only guarantee expedited results but also solidifies trust in its findings, beneficial for quick decision-making and policy enforcement.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Charlton, MA

Adopting hair follicle testing in workplaces ensures compliance with drug-free policies, minimizing legal complications and promoting a secure working environment.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are equipped with a robust tool to enforce workplace safety, reducing potential liabilities and enhancing overall productivity.

Drug Testing Near Charlton, MA

Leicester, MA

Auburn, MA

Spencer, MA

Webster, MA

East Brookfield, MA

Fiskdale, MA

Dudley, MA

Southbridge Town, MA

Sturbridge, MA

Oxford, MA

Southbridge, 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