Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Montague, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By encasing biomarkers within the fibers of developing hair strands, hair offers a prolonged record of substance use. Generally, when hair is sampled near the scalp, it provides a detection range of nearly three months for alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil’s thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is suggested. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases of laboratory handling for a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the introductory phase of integrating a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step comprises checking that the sample is correctly sealed and dispatched, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any further data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. Although Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates Confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples with a presumptively positive Screening demand a secondary confirmation process.

If a sample is provisionally positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. At this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), rendering hair drug screening as the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation as required. Throughout the entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation, both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards oversee the review.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug screenings can identify drug consumption for as long as 90 days, unlike urine screenings with a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: It’s notoriously difficult to falsify results from a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result precision.
• Historical data provision: It can unveil a trend of drug consumption over an extended duration, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent intake: It takes around 5-7 days before drugs can be detected in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug screenings generally incur a higher cost compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Montague, MA Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities. While urine tests provide immediate, short-term results, hair testing offers a long-term view, capturing a history of up to 90 days. This makes hair testing a preferred choice for employers requiring thorough and reliable drug screenings.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Montague, MA One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to trace drug use over an extended period, offering up to 90 days of history. This comprehensive view allows employers to better assess an individual's substance habits, making informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Montague, MA Hair follicle tests considerably reduce the potential for sample tampering. As the process involves collecting samples under supervision, it ensures reliable results that cannot be easily manipulated, thus maintaining the integrity of the testing process in various settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Montague, MA With a network of testing centers across the nation, accessing hair follicle drug testing is swift and easy. Our conveniently located centers provide hassle-free services, ensuring rapid and efficient testing for all clients, making the process as smooth as possible.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Montague, MA Our streamlined, confidential testing process ensures privacy from start to finish. Ordering, undergoing testing, and receiving results are managed with discretion, addressing any concerns about privacy while ensuring ease and comfort for all clients involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Montague, MA We offer competitive pricing structures paired with swift turnaround times. Our services provide excellent value, ensuring businesses of all sizes can access essential testing without burdening their budgets, while enjoying quick and reliable test results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Montague, MA Hair follicle drug tests deliver results with exceptional speed and accuracy. They are known for their precision in identifying drug use, providing both employers and individuals with dependable outcomes. This testing method is highly effective for maintaining integrity in professional settings and personal screenings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Montague, MA Hair follicle testing provides employers with assurance in maintaining drug-free workplaces. By following this testing method, companies can ensure compliance with drug policies, reduce legal liabilities, and promote a safer working environment for all employees.

Drug Testing Near Montague, MA

Wendell, MA

Erving, MA

Greenfield Town, MA

Leverett, MA

South Deerfield, MA

Sunderland, MA

Turners Falls, MA

Greenfield, MA

Franklin, MA

Millers Falls, MA

Deerfield, MA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews