Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chatham, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a valuable method for detecting drug and alcohol use. The hair captures a historical record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When extracted close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, with a low possibility of tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 strands of hair (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be collected. When discussing head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair involves all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps involved in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial swift review for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to be acceptable in court. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive result in Screening require an additional confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this process, drugs are drawn out from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is the reason hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Verification of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated 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 identify drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which possess a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to falsify: It is highly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Supplies chronological data: It can present a trend of drug use over a span of time, and not just recent occurrences.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual discrepancies in hair growth can impact the drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Chatham, MA

In Chatham, MA, hair follicle testing stands superior to traditional urine tests due to its advanced detection capabilities and reliability. Hair tests reveal a more comprehensive history of substance use than urine tests.

The clear advantage is the extended detection period, providing employers and institutions with more accurate data. Hair testing surpasses the limitations of urine tests, offering detailed and trustworthy results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Chatham, MA

Hair follicle testing in Chatham, MA, uncovers drug use over an extended period, often up to 90 days, offering a thorough understanding of one's substance history. Employers benefit from this long-term view when assessing potential or current employees.

This method captures a broader timeline of drug use, helping employers make informed decisions. Its comprehensive detection window sets it apart from other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Chatham, MA

Hair follicle tests in Chatham, MA, substantially minimize the potential for sample manipulation, ensuring that the results are reliable and valid. This robust method deters attempts of adulteration, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process.

The secure nature of hair testing makes it an ideal choice for unsullied results, reassuring institutions and individuals about its dependability and resilience against tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Chatham, MA

With numerous testing centers nationwide, including in Chatham, MA, accessing our hair follicle testing services is seamless and straightforward. We offer quick, efficient, and hassle-free testing options across the country.

Our widespread facilities ensure that individuals and employers find a convenient location close by, simplifying the testing process without compromising accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Chatham, MA

In Chatham, MA, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is straightforward, addressing any privacy concerns while maintaining user-friendliness.

This privacy-conscious procedure ensures that clients can rely on the swift and discreet handling of their testing needs, offering ease of use and peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Chatham, MA

In Chatham, MA, we offer hair follicle testing at competitive prices with quick turnaround times. Our pricing models provide excellent value, suitable for companies of any size, without breaking the bank.

Employers can benefit from cost-effective testing solutions that deliver prompt results, ensuring timely decisions without compromising economic efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Chatham, MA

Hair follicle drug tests provide unmatched precision and speed in detecting substance use in Chatham, MA. Their high accuracy makes them a preferred choice, ensuring that results are both dependable and swift.

The reliability of hair testing lies in its precise analysis, delivering results you can trust. This method ensures timely and accurate detection, reflecting efficient service for individuals and employers alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Chatham, MA

Hair follicle testing plays a crucial role in ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies in Chatham, MA. This method aids employers in mitigating legal risks and boosting workplace safety, providing peace of mind.

By integrating hair testing, companies demonstrate their commitment to a safe working environment, ensuring compliance and enhancing overall organizational wellbeing.

Drug Testing Near Chatham, MA

Eastham, MA

North Eastham, MA

South Dennis, MA

Dennis Port, MA

Orleans, MA

Northwest Harwich, MA

Harwich Port, MA

Harwich, MA

Harwich Center, MA

East Harwich, MA

West Chatham, 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.

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