Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Salem, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it can offer approximately a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch specimen consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning comprises the initial handling of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process includes ensuring that the sample has been sealed and shipped correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be corroborated to be valid in a legal setting. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as required. The whole laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is extremely tough to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Yields historical data: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over an extended period, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, the advantages become evident. In New Salem, MA, hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and are more reliable, especially for longer-term substance use. Urine tests, while useful, often miss habitual patterns that hair tests can uncover effortlessly. The expansive detection window and resistance to tampering make hair testing preferable.
In many professional and legal scenarios, hair testing is becoming the standard, valued for its ability to provide clearer insights.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in New Salem, MA, is a significant advantage for employers. By capturing up to 90 days of substance use history, employers gain a broad and revealing perspective on an individual’s past drug use. Such insights are invaluable when assessing potential risks and ensuring a high standard within the workforce.
Employers can trust the longevity and reliability of the data provided, aiding crucial decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In New Salem, MA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution to drug testing. Their design reduces the chance of sample adulteration significantly, ensuring reliability and credibility. Unlike other methods, they withstand attempts at manipulation, presenting companies with undeniable results.
Such robustness in testing is essential for maintaining trust and integrity within various institutions and workplace environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's expansive network of testing centers, including those in New Salem, MA, offers unmatched convenience. This nationwide availability guarantees that individuals and businesses can easily access testing services without hassle.
Local and widespread facilities ensure quick, straightforward solutions for all drug testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in New Salem, MA, is straightforward and discreet, designed with privacy in mind. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes ease and confidentiality.
This comfort and security encourage participation, ensuring that personal data remains protected throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

New Salem, MA, benefits from the competitively priced services of hair follicle testing, ensuring affordability for companies of any size. Alongside reasonable rates, quick turnaround times guarantee swift results.
This combination of cost-efficiency and rapid service provides businesses with excellent value for their investment in employee and workforce health.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New Salem, MA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and rapid results. The high accuracy rates in identifying substance use make them stand out. Rapid processing ensures timely and trustworthy outcomes, offering reassurances to employers and other stakeholders.
Efficiency and exactness are at the forefront, providing definitive results that aid in making informed decisions about hiring and employee evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in New Salem, MA, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing as it upholds compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It minimizes legal risk and promotes enhanced safety standards.
With its proven reliability, businesses can ensure that they're meeting regulatory requirements efficiently, supporting a secure and productive work setting.

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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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