Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Savoy, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides a long-term history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken from close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair samples are easy to gather, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for initial analysis and confirmation. For EtG assessments, additional tests, or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Specimens should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory-processing cycle for a drug test encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and sent, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening provides an initial rapid check for substances of abuse. While it is cost-efficient and useful for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be corroborated to be permissible in court. Samples with a presumptive positive outcome in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the primary specimen to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations much lower than those found in alternate methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in conformity with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests extend detection to nearly 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter timeframe.
• Challenge to subvert: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result precision.
• Tracks historical use: The test reveals usage patterns over time, surpassing mere recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent use: It usually takes between 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests commonly incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences like hair color and unique hair growth rates can alter drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Choose Hair Over Urine Testing?
Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests in Savoy, MA. This method guarantees higher detection accuracy and reliability, making it the preferred choice for detecting drug use.

The benefits of hair testing stem from its longer detection window and resistance to tampering. Employers are increasingly opting for hair tests over urine tests due to these superior features.

Extended Detection Window

Extending the Detection Window
In Savoy, MA, hair follicle drug testing provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use over a 90-day period. This timeframe offers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

Employers seeking thorough insight into an applicant's or employee's past behaviors favor hair testing. This method ensures a detailed assessment beyond the limited scope of urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Securing Results with Hair Testing
Hair follicle testing in Savoy, MA, is a tamper-resistant method, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This assures reliable and valid results present in every analysis.

The nature of hair tests provides an extra layer of security against falsified outcomes, giving employers and individuals confidence in the results obtained from this testing method.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Access, Local Convenience
The testing services extend nationwide, including local availability in Savoy, MA, simplifying access to Accredited Drug Testing's centers.

With convenient testing locations across the country, our services are easily accessible. Get tested without hassle, locally or elsewhere, as per your needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Confidential
The hair follicle testing process in Savoy, MA, is both straightforward and private. From ordering to testing and receiving results, simplicity is ensured every step of the way.

Confidentiality and ease of use are paramount, addressing concerns related to privacy while maintaining efficiency in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-effective and Quick Results
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing in Savoy, MA, combined with a fast turnaround, providing excellent value for all company sizes.

Our affordable testing services ensure peace of mind for employers, guaranteeing timely and reliable results without exceeding budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Quickness Redefined
Hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and promptness in Savoy. This method's accuracy is unparalleled in revealing substance use, boasting high reliability when compared to other tests.

Superior accuracy and swift processing make hair follicle tests the go-to choice for those seeking dependable results. For residents and employers in Savoy, this innovative testing ensures a fast and reliable identification of drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Achieve Compliance and Assurance
Adopting hair follicle testing in Savoy, MA, supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities. This testing enhances the safety and trustworthiness of any working environment.

With hair testing, employers gain peace of mind knowing they are reducing risks while maintaining high standards of workplace safety and legal adherence.

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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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