Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hatfield, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now viewed as an efficient method for detecting substance use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection window of close to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, containing about 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimum amount for screenings and confirmations. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is best to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample within the laboratory’s system. This step verifies the sample's seal and appropriate shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial screening for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening need secondary confirmation.

If the Screening stage result is presumptively positive, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any presumptive positive results from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to the confirmation if necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify substance use up to 90 days versus shorter periods for urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are highly resistant to tampering, leading to more reliable results.
• Tracks usage history: It shows a user's drug consumption pattern over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer as it examines the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle drug testing clearly surpass traditional urine tests in Hatfield, MA. Hair tests provide exceptional detection accuracy and greater reliability.

• Longer detection spans reveal a more comprehensive history of substance use.
• Hair tests are difficult to manipulate, ensuring test integrity.

Extended Detection Window

In Hatfield, MA, hair follicle testing offers a prolonged detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This allows employers to obtain a complete understanding of an individual's substance use history.

• Employers benefit from a longer overview of potential employee behavior.
• Accurate trend analysis aids in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The integrity of hair follicle testing in Hatfield, MA, lies in its resistance to tampering. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration.

• Reliable results provide unquestionable proof of substance use.
• The test's design makes it extremely challenging to alter or fake results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide testing centers, including those in Hatfield, MA, offer unrivaled convenience, ensuring ease of access to hair follicle testing services.

• Our extensive network supports hassle-free scheduling of tests.
• Swift access to testing means minimal disruption to daily operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle drug testing process in Hatfield, MA, is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

• Simplified ordering reduces the complexity of initiating tests.
• Confidential procedures ensure the discreet handling of all tests and results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Hatfield, MA, provide hair follicle testing that offers excellent value for companies.

• Affordable testing makes it accessible for businesses of all sizes.
• Speedy processing ensures swift receipt of results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hatfield, MA, the meticulousness and speed of hair follicle drug assessments stand out. These tests boast a high degree of precision, offering reliable detection of substance use.

• Fast processing ensures timely results, aiding in swift decision-making.
• Accurate detection enhances trust and credibility in the results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Hatfield, MA, supports compliance and brings peace of mind to employers. By utilizing these tests, companies ensure drug-free work policies are upheld.

• Reducing legal risks is achieved through consistent drug screening.
• Enhancing workplace safety leads to a healthier work 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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