Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dover, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a potent method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can furnish a detection timeframe of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising approximately 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. In cases requiring EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial entry of a sample into the laboratory's system, ensuring the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial, swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use suspicion for most samples, any positive result necessitates confirmation for legal validity. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing an extremely challenging technique.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if required. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a limited detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug testing is hard to manipulate, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers usage patterns: It provides an overview of drug consumption trends over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs generally take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically incur higher expenses than alternative testing methods.
• Results variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Dover, MA, hair follicle tests are preferred over traditional urine tests due to their superior detection capabilities and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair follicle tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, making them an excellent choice for employers needing comprehensive insights into an individual's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
One of the most significant benefits of hair follicle testing in Dover, MA, is its extended detection period. This method can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, providing a thorough analysis of an individual's substance use. This extended window allows employers to make more informed decisions regarding employee or candidate history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle testing in Dover, MA, offers a reliable solution that significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering. The test method provides trustworthy and unmistakable results, bolstering the integrity of the drug testing process and ensuring that outcomes are incontestable and accurate.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
With testing centers located nationwide, including in Dover, MA, accessing hair follicle test services is simple and hassle-free. This widespread availability ensures that individuals can conveniently find a nearby testing site, enhancing the flexibility and ease of adhering to drug testing requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
The hair follicle testing process in Dover, MA, is straightforward and respects privacy. It includes easy ordering, testing, and result receipt. This process addresses privacy concerns effectively, ensuring test-takers experience a smooth and confidential journey from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Dover, MA, our hair follicle testing services are priced competitively, delivering excellent value alongside fast turnaround times. This combination reassures companies of all sizes, providing confidence with cost-effective and timely solutions for their drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Dover, MA, hair follicle drug tests are recognized for their swift and precise results. These tests boast unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use, offering a dependable option for those needing quick answers. With the ability to detect various substances effectively, hair tests stand out as a premier choice for accuracy and speed in drug testing practices.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Dover, MA, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method decreases legal risks while enhancing workplace safety, providing a secure environment through its consistent and non-intrusive approach to drug testing.

Drug Testing Near Dover, MA

Dedham, MA

Norwood, MA

Islington, MA

Sherborn, MA

Natick, MA

Medfield, MA

Westwood, MA

Needham, MA

Harding, MA

Wellesley, MA

Glenridge, 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