Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Tewksbury, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair encases biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands, offering a prolonged history of such use. When sourced close to the scalp, it can capture a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and various substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair segment comprising approximately 200 strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is insufficient, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When we refer to head hair, we specify scalp hair only, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the introductory step of processing a sample into a laboratory's system. This step involves ensuring the sample's proper seal and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody track.

Screening is an initial swift assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening is an economical method for dismissing drug presence in most samples, any positive screening must be validated for legal credibility. Samples that test presumptive positive during Screening require subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. In this phase, substances are recovered from hair but at substantially reduced concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing why hair drug testing is among the most complex methods to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptive positive undergo washing before confirmation if required. The complete lab procedures from Accessioning through Confirmation are examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to circumvent: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely hard, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It can outline a behavioral pattern of substance use over a duration, not merely recent instances.

Limitations:

• Non-detection of recent usage: Substances take roughly 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs compared to other drug detection techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment concentrates on the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests outshine traditional urine tests in North Tewksbury, MA, by offering superior detection accuracy and dependability. Unlike urine tests, hair samples provide a longer window to detect substance use, ensuring more comprehensive screening and thereby supporting workplaces with strict substance policies.

Extended Detection Window

In North Tewksbury, MA, hair follicle testing excels by offering an extended detection window of up to 90 days, unlike other testing methods. This provides employers a thorough understanding of a candidate’s drug use history, aiding in better decision-making for hiring and monitoring employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in North Tewksbury, MA, is a highly reliable option due to its resistance to tampering. This method significantly curtails the possibility of sample adulteration, delivering results that are virtually unquestionable and trustworthy for employers and legal entities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In North Tewksbury, MA, and nationwide, our drug testing centers provide convenience with readily accessible services. The extensive network assures easy and seamless access, allowing for effortless scheduling and testing processes across multiple locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

The procedure for hair follicle testing in North Tewksbury, MA, is streamlined and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, it encompasses privacy and simplicity, addressing users’ concerns with a focus on discretion and user-friendly processes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In North Tewksbury, MA, our hair follicle testing services are priced competitively, offering significant value to businesses of all scales. Quick turnaround times coupled with affordable rates assure companies of receiving excellent service without compromising budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In North Tewksbury, MA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and precision. Its high accuracy enables swift detection of substance use, offering reliable results to individuals and employers alike. The method ensures quick turnaround times and dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in North Tewksbury, MA, find solace in hair follicle testing, as it ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal vulnerabilities and enhances workplace security, providing peace of mind and compliance assurance.

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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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