Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Osterville, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as a robust technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive history of substance use by capturing biomarkers in the strands of hair that are growing. When sampled near the scalp, hair can indicate substance usage within a span of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 strands (analogous in thickness to a #2 pencil) from the area nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For tests that include EtG, extra add-ons, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for specimen weighing is recommended. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair strictly pertain to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other variants (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test is categorized into four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a specimen into the laboratory's framework. This process entails ensuring that the sample has been properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a novel LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is the preliminary evaluation for substance abuse markers. Though cost-efficient, any positive results in Screening necessitate Validation for judicial acceptability. Presumptive positive cases in Screening require subsequent Confirmation.

For samples testing presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is collected from the specimen for the Extraction phase. This step involves the extraction of drugs from hair, which occurs at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for the challenging nature of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of positive screening results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. As needed, all presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is subjected to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can track drug consumption for a duration of up to three months, whereas urine tests possess a relatively brief detection timeframe.
• Resistance to falsification: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, improving the trustworthiness of results.
• Historical insight: It can illustrate a trend of drug usage over time, beyond mere recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to indicate recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative testing modalities.
• Result variability: Elements like hair pigmentation and individual growth variations can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle located underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine testing in Osterville, MA. With superior detection accuracy, it provides a more reliable assessment of substance use. Compared to urine tests, hair tests are less susceptible to manipulation and cover a more extensive detection period.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Osterville, MA, is notable for its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, this method offers employers a thorough view of an individual's substance history, essential for critical hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The integrity of hair follicle tests in Osterville, MA, is unmatched due to their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods, these tests are less vulnerable to adulteration, ensuring the results are both reliable and indisputable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing center locations nationwide, including Osterville, MA. This expansive network ensures clients access testing services quickly and without hassle, underscoring the convenience we provide with our widespread facilities.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Osterville, MA, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. Easily ordered and conducted, with results delivered discreetly, this testing system ensures user privacy and seamless operation for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Osterville, MA, delivers exceptional value. Our affordable approach benefits businesses of all sizes, ensuring that high-quality testing is accessible without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Osterville, MA, hair follicle drug testing provides unparalleled precision and rapid results. The test’s high accuracy ensures any substance use is reliably detected. Utilizing advanced technology, these tests yield results quickly, providing strong assurance for both employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Osterville, MA, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering employers peace of mind. This method mitigates legal risks and promotes a safer working environment, reducing issues related to substance abuse within the workplace.

Drug Testing Near Osterville, MA

Forestdale, MA

West Yarmouth, MA

Seabrook, MA

New Seabury, MA

Hyannis, MA

Popponesset, MA

West Barnstable, MA

Mashpee, MA

Popponesset Island, MA

Mashpee Neck, MA

Barnstable, MA

Barnstable Town, MA

Cotuit, MA

Centerville, MA

Marstons Mills, 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