Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Monterey, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands hold a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When extracted near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to approximately 90 days for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp produces 100mg, serving as the optimal amount for preliminary testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a similar amount of body hair may be used. Scalp hair refers specifically to head hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a laboratory's database, which includes ensuring the sample was sealed and conveyed correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result mandates further verification for legal admissibility. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most complex method.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples considered presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as required. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and adhering to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug usage up to 90 days back, surpassing urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to manipulate: Tampering with hair drug tests is extremely challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Offers historical patterns: It provides insights into drug use patterns over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternate drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Monterey, MA

• Comparing hair testing to traditional urine tests highlights superior detection accuracy.
• Hair testing offers unparalleled reliability, making it a preferred choice.

Employers and other stakeholders benefit from the enhanced insights hair testing provides.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Monterey, MA

• The ability to detect drug use over a 90-day period sets hair follicle tests apart.
• Employers gain a broader view of an individual’s drug usage history.

This comprehensive insight aids in making informed employment and management decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Monterey, MA

• Hair follicle tests drastically reduce sample tampering risks.
• They provide results that are both reliable and beyond dispute.

This security makes hair tests a trustworthy option for many organizations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Monterey, MA

• Our extensive network of testing centers provides easy access to services.
• Local Monterey locations ensure a quick and straightforward testing process.

Customers benefit from hassle-free testing experiences nation-wide.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Monterey, MA

• The process is designed to be simple, maintaining customer confidentiality.
• Ordering, taking tests, and receiving results are streamlined efficiently.

This approach addresses privacy concerns and enhances user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Monterey, MA

• Competitive pricing structures offer excellent value for all sizes of companies.
• Quick turnaround times support business operations without delay.

Organizations enjoy cost-effectiveness paired with speedy service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Monterey, MA

• Hair follicle drug tests in Monterey exemplify precision and speed in detecting substance use.
• Their high accuracy ensures reliable results, providing peace of mind for decision-makers.

With their ability to swiftly detect a wide array of substances, hair tests have become a trusted tool for many.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Monterey, MA

• Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• It minimizes legal risks and promotes workplace safety.

Employers enjoy reduced liabilities and enhanced peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Monterey, MA

Chester, MA

Lenox, MA

Becket, MA

Tolland, MA

Egremont, MA

Alford, MA

Housatonic, MA

Great Barrington, MA

Otis, MA

Sandisfield, MA

Tyringham, 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