Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hinsdale, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers within the growing fiber, offering a comprehensive history of substance use. When collected near the scalp, hair samples can provide information on alcohol and drug use for up to about three months. The process is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides a 100mg sample, the ideal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG tests, additional options, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler's scale for specimen weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equal quantity of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing drug test outcomes consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's workflow, including checking the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any absent data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs. Although screening is a budget-friendly means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a confirmation is necessary for legal proceedings if a screen is positive. Samples that indicate positive results in the Screening phase require further confirmation.

Should a sample show preliminary positive results during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair with much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), underscoring why hair drug testing is so challenging to perform.

Confirmation of positive screening results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples showing presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as indicated. The full lab processing, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have shorter detection periods.
• Cheating resistance: The ability to cheat on hair drug tests is minimal, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical insight: Offers insights into patterns of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectability: Drugs become identifiable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually costlier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth might influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While frequently called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on hair strands, not the scalp's hair follicles.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those seeking reliable drug testing in Hinsdale, MA, hair follicle tests offer significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Hair testing boasts superior detection accuracy, reducing the risk of false negatives or positives. The consistency and reliability of hair tests make them a preferred choice for employers looking to enforce strict drug policies efficiently.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Hinsdale, MA, is celebrated for its capacity to detect drug usage over an extended duration, up to 90 days. This extensive detection window provides employers with a detailed account of an individual's substance use history, aiding in comprehensive assessments of potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Employing hair follicle testing in Hinsdale, MA, significantly minimizes sample adulteration risks. This method ensures results are accurate and unquestionable, providing stakeholders with peace of mind. The integrity of hair tests is maintained through secure collection processes, reinforcing their credibility.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers located nationwide, including local facilities in Hinsdale, MA, Accredited Drug Testing offers seamless and efficient access to hair follicle testing services. This widespread network guarantees that you can obtain necessary tests without the hassle, ensuring a smooth process for all participants.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hinsdale, MA, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering tests to obtaining results, clients experience ease and privacy throughout the procedure. We address concerns about confidentiality, ensuring your peace of mind through every step of the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Hinsdale, MA, ensures competitive pricing paired with fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests. This approach delivers great value and reassurance to businesses of every size, making it possible to uphold company policies effectively without breaking the budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hinsdale, MA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its exceptional precision and rapid results. The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use far surpasses alternative methods, providing timely and definitive outcomes. The expediency of hair testing ensures that individuals and organizations receive trustworthy data promptly, facilitating swift decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Hinsdale, MA, utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating potential legal liabilities. By assuring compliance, companies enhance workplace safety and morale, offering a secure environment for all employees while maintaining high operational 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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