Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Seekonk, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has increasingly become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair—ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale for specimen weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be obtained. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This includes confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples yielding a presumptively positive result in Screening need secondary confirmation.

In cases where a sample is presumptively positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. This stage involves removing drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It's quite challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, enhancing result precision.
• Offers historical insight: It can depict a usage pattern over time rather than merely recent drug use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It generally takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the subscalp hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in North Seekonk, MA is highlighted by its ability to detect drug use with greater accuracy over an extended period. While traditional urine tests are still used, hair follicle tests provide a more reliable detection rate, offering employers a competitive edge in maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window available through hair follicle testing in North Seekonk, MA offers significant advantages. This method allows for detection of drug use for up to 90 days, presenting employers with a thorough insight into an individual's substance-use history and aiding informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in North Seekonk, MA offers increased reliability through hair follicle drug testing. This testing approach minimizes the risk of sample tampering, thereby delivering results that are robust and unquestionable. Its integrity makes it a trusted choice for many organizations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations, including in North Seekonk, MA, provide unparalleled ease of access to drug testing services. Our extensive network of testing sites ensures that these essential services are accessible quickly and without hassle, no matter where you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in North Seekonk, MA is pivotal for ensuring that individuals can access drug testing services with ease and comfort. From the moment of ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to protect privacy, guaranteeing a seamless and secure process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in North Seekonk, MA are key components of our service offering. We pride ourselves on competitive pricing structures paired with quick result delivery, providing excellent value and efficiency for businesses of any scale.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in North Seekonk, MA are critical for maintaining drug-free environments. Hair follicle testing excels in this regard, providing precise and fast detection of substance use. The high level of accuracy ensures that the results are dependable, making it a preferred choice among employers and legal entities.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in North Seekonk, MA is ensured with hair follicle testing. This technique helps enforce workplace drug-free policies, thus mitigating legal repercussions and enhancing safety, which is pivotal for fostering a respectful and secure work environment.

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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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