Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Merrimac, MA

What it is, How it works

An effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption is hair testing. Hair captures a long-term account of substances and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When taken near the scalp, it allows an approximate detection duration of three months for substances and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, making it somewhat resistant to tampering and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample of around 200 strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is preferable. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair can't be acquired, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" covers other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step of incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This involves checking if the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, speedy assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is mandatory for court acceptability. Samples that test positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g. urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives undergo washing as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in light of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can capture drug use for up to three months, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Tough to falsify: It's particularly hard to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks historical consumption: It shows a behavioral pattern of substance use over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: A window of 5-7 days is needed before drugs appear in hair.
• Higher expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur greater costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although called “hair follicle tests”, the analysis is on the strand itself, not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Merrimac, MA, hair testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy. Hair tests can reveal drug use over longer durations, offering a full spectrum of the individual’s drug history.

The reliability of hair follicle tests provides Merrimac employers more confidence in the results, proving to be a robust alternative to urine testing where accuracy is paramount.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Merrimac, MA, boasts an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This makes it invaluable for employers seeking comprehensive historical substance data.

The ability to detect long-term substance use gives employers in Merrimac insight into an applicant or employee’s potential drug habits, making it a powerful tool in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests in Merrimac, MA, are designed to be tamper-resistant, making them reliable for employers who need unquestionable test results. The nature of hair samples drastically reduces the risk of adulteration.

This testing method guarantees that the results are accurate and trustworthy, removing concerns associated with sample manipulation, providing organizations with peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing centers across the nation, including Merrimac, MA. Our widespread presence ensures that testing is hassle-free, quick, and easily accessible.

The ease of access to our testing sites guarantees minimal disruption for individuals seeking drug tests, providing services that are both efficient and accommodating.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Merrimac, MA, is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use.

Clients can be assured that their personal information remains secure throughout the process, and results are delivered in a timely and confidential manner, maintaining the integrity of the service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Merrimac, MA, hair follicle tests are affordable without sacrificing fast turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures offer excellent value, making it feasible for companies of all sizes.

Employers appreciate the cost-effective nature of our tests, paired with quick results, enabling them to make informed decisions without incurring excessive expenses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is recognized for its fast and accurate results. In Merrimac, MA, this test method ensures that any substance use is pinpointed with unmatched precision. Clients benefit from quick turnaround times, allowing for timely decision-making based on the results.

Employers value the reliability and speed of hair follicle tests, making them a preferred choice in screening processes. The test’s high accuracy alleviates doubts about the presence of drugs, offering clear insights into substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Merrimac, MA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, significantly reducing legal risks. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their testing methods uphold their zero-tolerance mandates.

Utilizing hair follicle testing not only aligns with safety standards but also enhances overall workplace productivity by proactively deterring substance abuse.

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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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