Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Billerica, MA

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair strands offer an extensive timeline of these substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strands. When extracted near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window extending up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of about 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for screening and corroboration. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. We recommend utilizing a jeweler’s scale to gauge the specimen’s weight. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair denotes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory R

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a specimen into a laboratory’s framework. This involves ensuring that the specimen was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening constitutes an immediate preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug consumption for the bulk of specimens, a positive screen mandates confirmation for legal admissibility. Any specimens that show a presumptive positive result in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a specimen registers a presumptive positive in the screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn out from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methods to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples registering a presumptive positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug consumption for as long as 90 days, surpassing urine tests which feature a shorter detection timeline.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical insights: It unveils patterns of substance use over a duration, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It necessitates approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the sub-scalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in North Billerica, MA

• Hair testing offers a significantly wider detection range compared to urine tests.
• The reliability and accuracy of hair analysis surpass traditional methods.
• Hair follicle tests are challenging to tamper with, providing a robust alternative.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in North Billerica, MA

• Hair follicle testing can trace drug usage up to 90 days ago.
• This extensive window allows employers to assess an individual's substance history accurately.
• The prolonged timeframe gives a more comprehensive view of long-term behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in North Billerica, MA

• Hair follicle tests significantly cut down chances of sample adulteration.
• The method provides reliable, indisputable results.
• This approach ensures the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in North Billerica, MA

• Nationwide testing centers make access to our services straightforward and efficient.
• Local locations in North Billerica, MA, ensure speedy and hassle-free testing.
• Testing service is easy to access, ensuring timely and stress-free experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in North Billerica, MA

• The testing process is designed to be simple and confidential.
• Ordering, taking, and receiving results is handled with utmost privacy.
• Privacy concerns are addressed through a secure and user-friendly process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in North Billerica, MA

• Our competitive pricing structures offer excellent value for companies of any size.
• Fast turnaround times alleviate waiting and provide swift feedback.
• Affordable pricing combined with quick results ensures peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in North Billerica, MA

• Hair follicle drug tests deliver rapid and precise results that are dependable.
• The method ensures high accuracy in detecting substance use, making it a preferred choice.
• This efficient process minimizes waiting times, providing results swiftly and reliably.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in North Billerica, MA

• Utilizing hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• This testing reduces legal liabilities and enhances workplace safety.
• Employers gain assurance and peace of mind knowing the process is thorough and compliant.

Drug Testing Near North Billerica, MA

Wilmington, MA

Dracut, MA

North Wilmington, MA

Carlisle, MA

Silver Lake, MA

South Chelmsford, MA

Pinehurst, MA

Chelmsford, MA

North Tewksbury, MA

Lowell, MA

Tewksbury, MA

Nutting Lake, MA

Wamesit, MA

Billerica, MA

River Pines, 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