Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rockville, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By encasing biomarkers within the fibers of a developing hair strand, hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug use over time. If obtained near the scalp, hair can present a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and various drugs. Simple to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport, hair is an ideal specimen for testing.

Harvesting a 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp area yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for examination and verification. For EtG, additional substances, and tests extending beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended to weigh the sample. When scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key stages integral to processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a laboratory database. This process includes confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, disbursing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling out any supplementary data entry missed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening commences with a swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be court-permissible. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate additional verification.

If a sample tests preliminary positive during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the primary specimen for Extraction. This phase sees drugs extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening is the most complex method.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is undertaken via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are cleaned as necessary before confirmation. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug analyses can identify drug intake for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: It is exceedingly tough to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields past data: Offers a longitudinal pattern of drug use, beyond just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Requires around 5-7 days before drugs are discernible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug examinations typically incur higher costs than alternate testing approaches.
• Outcome variability: Elements like hair color and individual distinctions in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Even though they are often called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the hair follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Rockville, MA
In Rockville, MA, hair follicle testing triumphs over urine tests through superior detection accuracy and reliability. Compared to traditional urine testing, hair testing offers a longer detection window, making it particularly effective for employers enforcing strict drug-free policies. With its enhanced ability to reveal a broader spectrum of substance use, hair testing is more efficient in upholding workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Rockville, MA
Hair follicle testing in Rockville, MA can identify drug use over an extended timespan, up to 90 days. This extended detection period offers employers comprehensive insights into an applicant's or employee's substance use history. Such long-term detection capabilities make hair analysis an ideal choice for tracking and ensuring substance-free environments over longer periods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Rockville, MA
In Rockville, MA, hair follicle tests are renowned for their resistance to tampering. Their robustness in preventing sample adulteration guarantees reliable and unquestionable results. This tamper-proof nature makes hair analysis a preferred choice, providing confidence and assurance in the accuracy and integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Rockville, MA
Benefit from the convenience of our widespread testing centers, including those in Rockville, MA, offering a seamless experience. Our extensive network ensures quick, hassle-free access to testing services, regardless of location. Nationwide and locally, this accessibility ensures that testing is within easy reach, facilitating efficient compliance and screening processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Rockville, MA
The hair follicle testing process in Rockville, MA ensures simplicity and confidentiality, making it easy to order, undergo, and receive results. Addressing privacy concerns, this method stands out for its user-friendly nature, streamlining the steps involved in drug testing. Confidentiality is maintained throughout, ensuring peace of mind for all those involved in the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Rockville, MA
In Rockville, MA, our hair follicle testing stands out for its competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. Providing excellent value for companies of all sizes, these attributes enhance the appeal of hair testing, as it combines cost-effectiveness with prompt delivery of results, offering substantial benefits to employers and maintaining budget-friendliness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Rockville, MA
Hair follicle testing in Rockville, MA offers unmatched precision and speed, delivering highly accurate results in identifying substance use. This method ensures the detection of drugs and alcohol efficiently, providing peace of mind through reliable outcomes. Its technological advancement ensures that results are delivered not only accurately but also swiftly, making it superior in many aspects.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Rockville, MA
Employers in Rockville, MA can achieve compliance and peace of mind utilizing hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This method diminishes legal risks and enhances workplace safety, proving invaluable particularly for sectors imposing stringent no-drug standards. Hair tests provide a trusted solution for maintaining a compliant and secure work environment.

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Millis, 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.

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