Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Liberty Plain, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug use. It provides an extended history of substance use by capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection range of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, the likelihood of tampering is low, and it can be transported with ease.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In cases where scalp hair is not present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. The term body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning marks the beginning of a sample's incorporation into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any additional data entry that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary check for abusing substances. Though cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive result from Screening must be confirmed before it is legally accepted. Samples that presumptively show positive results in Screening need a secondary validation.

For samples showing a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, complies with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair regulations and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, leading to more accurate outcomes.
• Shows usage history: It can expose patterns of drug usage over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine in Liberty Plain, MA are notable. Hair testing stands out for its longer drug detection window, lasting up to 90 days, compared to the much shorter timeframe of urine testing. This extended detection period provides a more comprehensive insight into an individual's drug history.

Moreover, hair analysis is less susceptible to tampering, bolstering its credibility and making it the preferred choice for many professionals handling substance testing.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Liberty Plain, MA benefit from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection period, which spans up to 90 days. This gives organizations a broader perspective on an individual's substance use history.

With a 3-month retrospective view, employers can make informed decisions regarding hiring and maintaining a drug-free workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the key strengths of hair follicle testing in Liberty Plain, MA is its difficulty to tamper with compared to other testing methods. This ensures that results remain trustworthy and resistant to manipulation.

The nature of hair sampling acts as a deterrent against sample adulteration, providing peace of mind with accurate and reliable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With widespread accessibility, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations nationwide, including local options in Liberty Plain, MA. This guarantees a smooth and straightforward process when it comes to arranging and undergoing a drug test.

The presence of numerous testing centers ensures that getting tested is hassle-free, efficient, and accessible for everyone in need.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Liberty Plain, MA, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns for all clients. Upon ordering a test, the steps are straightforward, with clear instructions on sample collection and result retrieval.

Confidentiality is paramount, ensuring that users' personal and test data remains secure, providing peace of mind throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle tests in Liberty Plain, MA, coupled with fast turnaround times to deliver valuable results efficiently. This cost-effective approach provides organizations of all sizes with affordable testing solutions.

By offering quick results, businesses can act swiftly in their decision-making, optimizing both time and resources.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Liberty Plain, MA enhances both speed and precision of drug result analysis. Its ability to accurately gauge substance usage makes it an unparalleled tool in ensuring reliable drug monitoring outcomes.

The rapid turnaround time for test results allows for quick decision-making processes for employers and individuals in need of prompt conclusions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Liberty Plain, MA ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing a safe working environment.

For employers, this method not only complies with regulations but also provides assurance of maintaining a drug-free workforce, fostering trust and security within the organization.

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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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