Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dudley, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding markers within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection period for various substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches long, consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will produce 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional requirements, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advised to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair isn't present, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. In the context of head hair, this refers strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result entails four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves integrating a sample into the laboratory's system initially. This process includes checking if the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an affordable approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates validation to be permissible in legal settings. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo secondary verification.

If a specimen registers a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), presenting a unique challenge in hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screen outcomes is completed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are prepped through a washing step as required. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, falls under the scrutiny of CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection timeframe: Hair drug testing covers substance use up to 90 days, in contrast to the narrower window of urine tests.
• High integrity: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thus enhancing result fidelity.
• Chronological substance use insight: It captures usage trends over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing provides a distinct advantage over traditional urine testing methods in Dudley, MA.:

• It boasts a larger detection window, capturing drug use information up to 90 days.
• Drastically increases detection accuracy and reliability.

Unlike urine tests, which can be manipulated or return false negatives, hair tests offer a dependable alternative for identifying drug consumption history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Dudley, MA offers a uniquely extended detection window:

• Reveals drug use from as far back as 90 days, giving a comprehensive substance history review.
• This long-term detection is vital for employers screening potential candidates or current employees, striving to maintain a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The process of hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering and adulteration:

• Ensures accuracy since the hair sample is difficult to alter compared to urine samples.
• Provides reliable and clear results, minimizing any potential doubts regarding substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing centers provide convenient access in Dudley, MA:

• Ensures quick and hassle-free testing services.
• Easy accessibility with local locations, fitting seamlessly into one’s schedule.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential in Dudley, MA:

• Ordering and taking the test remains a stress-free approach.
• Results are delivered in a private manner, addressing any privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Dudley, MA, our competitive pricing and swift turnaround for hair follicle tests offer excellent value:

• Provides a cost-effective solution for businesses of various sizes.
• Timely results ensure immediate access to accurate information with maximum convenience.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The fast and accurate nature of hair follicle testing makes it a preferred choice in Dudley, MA, for substance detection. These tests offer reliable results and quickly identify traces of drugs, ensuring high precision in assessments.:

• Substances identified rapidly, minimizing waiting times.
• In-depth analysis guarantees accuracy, making it difficult to dispute the findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing in Dudley, MA ensures compliance with workplace drug policies and helps employers maintain safety:

• Mitigates legal risks by adhering to drug-free workplace mandates.
• Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are upholding safe and compliant workplace standards.

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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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