Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Seabury, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective means to detect drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can present up to roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for various substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment, approximately 200 strands of hair (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analysis, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair might be gathered. When we speak of head hair, we only refer to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four critical steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial processing of a sample into the lab's system. This process encompasses verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary quick test for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to negate drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally acceptable. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening do necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is initially positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the first specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which provide a briefer detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, ensuring more accurate results.
• Delivers historical data: It can exhibit a trend of drug consumption over time, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Cost factor: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Variabilities in results: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth patterns can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in New Seabury, MA, stands out when compared to urine testing. Unlike urine tests, which typically capture only recent substance use, hair testing provides a more substantial detection window. Its ability to detect drug usage over longer periods makes it superior for comprehensive assessments. Employers value this method for its reliability and extensive historical insight it offers.

The consistency in results from hair testing provides invaluable precision, eliminating the guesswork often associated with urine tests.
Hair testing’s enhanced accuracy makes it far less susceptible to manipulation or inaccuracies, ensuring the utmost confidence in the results obtained. This robust reliability elevates hair follicle testing above its urine counterpart.

Extended Detection Window

In New Seabury, MA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage. This form of testing offers a vast look-back period, capturing up to 90 days of substance use history. Employers benefit greatly by reviewing an applicant or employee’s extended substance use history, providing a comprehensive overview.

This expanded detection period helps organizations make more informed hiring and retention decisions.
The hair follicle test's extended window surpasses the limited timeframe of urine tests, offering unparalleled coverage of prior substance use. This advantage ensures that hair tests are an indispensable tool for thorough and reliable screening.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in New Seabury, MA, effectively safeguards against tampering, providing results that are virtually tamper-proof. This reliability stems from the method's robustness, ensuring that samples remain untainted and authentic throughout the testing process.

Unlike urine tests, which are more prone to adulteration, hair tests significantly reduce the risk of sample manipulation.
By delivering trustworthy and unassailable results, businesses can confidently rely on these tests to help maintain integrity and transparency in their testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient nationwide testing centers, Accredited Drug Testing ensures residents of New Seabury, MA, and beyond have quick access. Local and accessible, our testing centers promise hassle-free service, making it easy for individuals and companies to arrange necessary tests.

The simplicity with which testing can be scheduled and conducted at numerous locations highlights our commitment to providing an efficient service.
Whether it’s a nearby center or a branch across the state, easy access remains a priority, ensuring testing is seamless and straightforward for all our clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

For those in New Seabury, MA, simplicity and privacy are cornerstones of our testing process. Ordering a hair follicle test is straightforward, with clear instructions ensuring smooth execution from start to finish.

The confidential handling of tests guarantees privacy, giving clients assurance they can count on.
From the initial ordering to the eventual receipt of results, every step is designed with clarity and ease of use in mind, streamlining the testing journey for an excellent client experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

New Seabury, MA, businesses benefit from our affordable pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle testing. Our pricing is competitive without compromising on quality, making our services an excellent value for companies of varying sizes.

The fast turnaround ensures businesses can act decisively based on the results provided, preventing prolonged downtimes.
With swift service and affordability as priorities, we offer the peace of mind companies need in making informed, timely decisions regarding their workforce.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New Seabury, MA, hair follicle drug tests shine with their precision and swiftness. They are unrivaled in accuracy when it comes to detecting substance use, presenting a reliable picture of consumption over time.
A major advantage is the lesser turnaround time due to efficient processing mechanisms, ensuring that results come back fast, allowing decision-makers to act quickly.

With their high level of accuracy, these tests leave little room for doubt, making them the preferred choice for individuals and organizations wanting quick answers. Efficient and precise, hair follicle tests ensure dependable results. In drug testing, speed and accuracy play crucial roles, and in New Seabury, these tests deliver on both fronts.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

New Seabury, MA, employers seeking to enhance workplace safety and compliance can rely on hair follicle testing. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, ensuring legal obligations are met while reducing potential risks.

The peace of mind provided by hair testing stems from its unparalleled ability to consistently deliver results you can trust.
By fostering a safer work environment, employers benefit not only from legal compliance but also from increased productivity and reduced liability.

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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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