Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lancaster, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective tool for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the sample's initial processing into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation in Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening highly challenging to conduct.

Confirming any positive Screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Necessary washing is performed on all presumptive positive samples before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Shows historical use: These tests can illustrate drug use patterns over time, not just immediate use.

Limitations:

• No detection of recent usage: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the scalp’s hair follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Among the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Lancaster, MA, is its unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer an insight beyond the short detection window that urine tests provide, capturing a broader history of substance usage, up to 90 days, hence yielding more comprehensive insights.

While urine tests are common, hair follicle testing proves superior in numerous aspects. Its advantages include a longer detection window and resistance to tampering, providing a clearer picture of someone's substance history than a urine test possibly could, making it the preferred choice for many organizations.

Extended Detection Window

One compelling reason for choosing hair follicle testing in Lancaster, MA, is its extended detection window. This method can uncover drug use from as far back as 90 days, offering a thorough overview of an individual's substance consumption. Employers can gain deeper insights into an individual's history, making informed decisions thanks to these extensive timelines.

This prolonged detection period ensures that employers are well-informed about any habitual substance use, thus safeguarding their interests. The lengthy timeline that hair follicle tests offer captures months of data, standing as a more comprehensive investigative tool compared to other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The strength of hair follicle testing in Lancaster, MA, lies in its exceptional tamper-resistant characteristics. With potential sample adulteration effectively minimized, the reliability of results remains intact and definitive, providing clear insights without the risk of tampered samples compromising the outcome.

This testing method mitigates risks of manipulation, making it a trusted tool in critical environments. By significantly reducing the chance of sample adulteration, hair follicle tests ensure that results are not only reliable but also trustworthy, reinforcing their status as a robust option.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For residents and employers alike in Lancaster, MA, the convenience of nationwide testing locations cannot be overstated. Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to testing services both nationally and locally. This accessibility facilitates hassle-free, quick testing experiences, accommodating various needs effortlessly.

Our expansive network, with centers spanning across many cities, ensures that the testing process remains smooth and efficient wherever you are located. Lancaster, MA, with its access to convenient local sites, benefits from the ease and speed of our testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

With a focus on simplicity and confidentiality, undergoing hair follicle testing in Lancaster, MA, becomes an effortless endeavor. The straightforward processes involved in ordering, taking, and receiving test results prioritize user privacy, addressing concerns related to confidentiality with utmost care.

Users can rely on a process streamlined to minimize complexities, thereby enhancing their experience. From test ordering to result retrieval, every step guarantees confidentiality, ensuring that concerns about privacy are put to rest effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lancaster, MA, our approach towards hair follicle testing exemplifies affordable pricing with an emphasis on fast turnaround. These attributes present a compelling value proposition to companies regardless of size, underscoring the practical benefits through cost-effective solutions and speedy results delivery.

Our competitive pricing framework ensures that businesses receive excellent service without straining their budgets. Additionally, the fast turnaround of results not only adds value but provides peace of mind, keeping business operations running smoothly without the hassle of long waits for critical test outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lancaster, MA, the hair follicle drug test is synonymous with fast, accurate, and reliable results. Its design ensures precision in identifying substance use, leaving little room for error. This method accelerates the process, providing results that effectively inform decision-makers, ensuring that no time is wasted in the detection of illegal substances.

The speed of hair follicle testing sets it apart in the scene of drug tests. Unlike other methods, these tests deliver high precision without compromising on reliability. The accuracy level ensures that employers and authorities receive precise substance use insights, reinforcing trust in the process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Lancaster, MA, hair follicle testing empowers employers to enhance compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, companies mitigate legal risks while promoting safer work environments. This compliance strengthens organizational operations, providing employers with the assurance they require to maintain ethical standards.

Ensuring adherence to workplace policies, hair follicle testing fosters an environment of safety and legal integrity. Employers benefit from a thorough substance use overview of their workforce, reducing liabilities and bolstering their commitment to a drug-free workplace.

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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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