Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Norfolk, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record of long-term substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair samples can offer an approximate 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) next to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is ideal for testing and verifying. For EtG, extras, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample weight. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair is permissible. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a lab's system. It entails ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is among the most complex methodologies to execute.

Positive screening confirmations are performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. Each laboratory step, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to deceive: Cheating is extremely difficult on a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical data: It can reveal a usage pattern over time, beyond just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent intake: It takes approximately 5-7 days for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is generally pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Norfolk, MA
Hair testing outshines traditional urine tests in various ways, particularly in detection accuracy and reliability. This test type provides vital insights that turbulent circumstances might miss, proving itself as the superior option for assessing substance use.

Hair vs. Urine Testing
Unlike urine tests, hair follicle screening offers a higher level of scrutiny, capturing a fuller picture of an individual’s substance history. This makes them an invaluable tool for employers and professionals focusing on safety and integrity.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Norfolk, MA
Hair follicle drug tests possess an exceptional advantage of offering a wide detection window, up to 90 days, granting employers far-reaching insights into an individual's substance usage over time.

Comprehensive Substance History
This prolonged timeframe ensures that potential signs of substance use are caught effectively, providing a richer background check for companies and helping maintain a trustful workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Norfolk, MA
The integrity and reliability of hair follicle testing shine through its resistance to sample tampering. This testing method greatly reduces the risks associated with adulteration, offering employers sound and dependable results.

Unquestionable Outcomes
By minimizing manipulation, hair testing stands as a pillar of reliability, reassuring organizations of the authenticity of the provided samples and the accuracy of the overall data derived from them.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Norfolk, MA
Our expansive network of testing centers across the nation ensures that individuals in Norfolk, MA can easily access services. Quick, simplified, and stress-free access to testing is guaranteed.

Ease of Accessibility
Whether locally or nationally, our robust testing infrastructure is designed to meet your requirements, avoiding prolonged procedures and ensuring your needs are efficiently addressed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Norfolk, MA
The process for arranging, undertaking, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is designed to be straightforward and private, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring user-friendliness.

Confidentiality Ensured
From beginning to end, our secure systems safeguard personal and sensitive information, guaranteeing clients peace of mind and swift, hassle-free experiences throughout the testing phases.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Norfolk, MA
Our competitive pricing models and quick turnaround times afford immense value and confidence to businesses. By providing timely results, we support organizations' objectives in a cost-effective manner.

Value and Speed
Efficient timelines coupled with financially reasonable packages ensure that companies of all sizes can depend on our services, reinforcing decision-making with timely and economical solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Norfolk, MA
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing are top-tier, offering high accuracy in substance detection. This method is renowned for delivering swift and credible outcomes, assuring organizations of its reliability.

Accuracy Assured
By detecting a broad spectrum of drugs with precision, hair follicle tests ensure that employers receive highly accurate data, thus maintaining workplace safety and compliance standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Norfolk, MA
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers align with workplace drug-free initiatives, alleviating potential legal complications and bolstering workplace security and employee peace of mind.

Policy Adherence
By ensuring compliance with established drug-related codes of conduct, companies can foster a safe and supportive working environment, benefiting both organizational integrity and employee morale.

Drug Testing Near Norfolk, MA

Brewster, MA

Brookline, MA

Accord, MA

Boston, MA

Holbrook, MA

Randolph, MA

Hull, MA

Hingham, MA

Weymouth Town, MA

Weymouth, MA

Milton, MA

Braintree Town, MA

Braintree, MA

Quincy, 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