Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Pembroke, MA

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can deliver a detailed history of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra checks, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning handles the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab’s framework. This step involves confirming that the specimen was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning an LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and filling in any supplemental data not given by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick check for drug presence. Though Screening is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use in the majority of cases, any positive screening needs confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample is found presumptively positive at the Screening stage, extra hair is extracted from the original specimen and made ready for Extraction. Drugs are then extracted from hair but at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are washed as necessary prior to confirmation. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to standards ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests monitor drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: Capable of showing patterns of drug usage over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test in fact examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In North Pembroke, MA, hair follicle drug testing is gaining favor due to its superior detection capabilities compared to traditional urine tests. A significant benefit is its longer detection window, providing a historical perspective on substance use over three months.

Urine tests, on the other hand, cover a shorter period, making hair tests preferable for gaining a broader understanding of drug habits, thus offering more trustworthy insights.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in North Pembroke, MA, prefer hair follicle testing for its extended detection window, allowing drug use to be identified up to 90 days prior. This timeframe enables a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's substance history.

This extensive detection period provides crucial insights, making hair testing a valuable tool for long-term substance monitoring compared to shorter assessments like urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in North Pembroke, MA, offer a tamper-resistant method of drug testing, reducing the chances of sample adulteration. This robustness ensures that the results delivered are both reliable and unquestionable.

The observed sample collection process further reinforces the test's integrity, providing an edge over more easily manipulated testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including in North Pembroke, MA, our centers offer easy access to hair follicle drug testing services. This widespread network simplifies the testing process for all individuals involved.

Quick, hassle-free access to these services ensures efficient testing experiences, catering to both local and broader needs with minimal inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle drug testing in North Pembroke, MA, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use.

This user-friendly approach addresses any concerns regarding how samples are collected, maintained, and reported, reaffirming the test's integrity and simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures, hair follicle testing in North Pembroke, MA, offers great value. Fast turnaround times ensure that companies receive prompt results, supporting informed decision-making.

This affordability extends across businesses of all sizes, proving to be a cost-effective solution for comprehensive drug screening.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in North Pembroke, MA, are known for their quick, accurate, and consistent results. This method of testing ensures a high level of precision, detecting various substances effectively.

This capability is essential for employers and other stakeholders who require trustworthy and prompt results, emphasizing the value of hair testing over other methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in North Pembroke, MA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace substance policies, minimizing legal risks. Adopting this method enhances workplace safety and fosters a culture of trust.

By incorporating hair testing, employers demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a drug-free environment, which can be a key factor in promoting employee well-being and productivity.

Drug Testing Near North Pembroke, MA

Kent Park, MA

North Hanover, MA

West Hanover, MA

Norwell, MA

Marshfield Hills, MA

Marshfield, MA

Marshfield Center, MA

North Marshfield, MA

Hanson, MA

Hanover Center, MA

Standish, MA

Pembroke, 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