Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Dartmouth, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can reveal detection for up to a 3-month period for alcohol and drug usage. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair, similar in size to a #2 pencil, taken nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, it is recommended to obtain 150mg of the specimen. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advised. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process for laboratory analysis of a drug test result mainly encompasses Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the stage in which a sample undergoes the initial entry into a laboratory's system. It involves confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an efficient means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive indication in Screening requires confirmation to be used in legal proceedings. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than those in other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples invariably undergo a washing process before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for a duration extending up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Difficulty to cheat: Tampering with a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: It offers insights into drug use patterns over a period of time, rather than solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes an estimated 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Influences such as hair color and individual hair growth discrepancies can impact the concentration of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

South Dartmouth, MA sees a significant advantage of hair follicle testing over urine tests. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, uncovering drug use history that extends far beyond the capabilities of urine analysis. This method is especially beneficial for employers needing comprehensive background checks.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicles provide a broader view of substance abuse trends, proving invaluable to employers in South Dartmouth. By capturing long-term drug use, hair tests enhance the integrity of the screening process, making them a preferred choice in the employment verification process.

Extended Detection Window

In South Dartmouth, MA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing other testing methods. This long-term diagnostic capability provides employers with a detailed history of an individual's substance use, assisting in informed decision-making when assessing potential hires.

The ability to detect substance use over an extended period is a key advantage of hair follicle testing. Employers in South Dartmouth gain a comprehensive perspective on employee compliance, benefiting from a robust tool that ensures adherence to workplace standards over traditional, shorter-term methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in South Dartmouth, MA significantly reduces the risk of tampering, providing a reliable and secure testing method. The inherent resistance to adulteration makes hair testing a trustworthy choice, delivering unquestionable results that employers can depend on.

With minimal opportunities for sample manipulation, hair follicle testing ensures the integrity of drug testing results. Employers in South Dartmouth can rely on this method to maintain a drug-free workplace, safeguarding their interests with a method that effectively resists tampering threats.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of having nationwide and local testing centers in South Dartmouth, MA cannot be overstated. Accredited Drug Testing offers easily accessible locations, ensuring quick and hassle-free testing services. This nationwide network supports efficient service delivery, adding convenience for all clients.

With a wide array of testing locations, employers in South Dartmouth find it simple to coordinate drug testing efforts. This access ensures that processes remain seamless and effective, accommodating the testing needs of companies swiftly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in South Dartmouth, MA is simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are straightforward and secure, with privacy remaining a top priority throughout. This ensures a worry-free experience for individuals and employers alike.

Ease of use combined with confidentiality defines the testing process in South Dartmouth. Clients can trust that their information remains protected, while navigating the straightforward steps from sample collection to receiving their results unencumbered.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in South Dartmouth, MA, providing excellent value. Our efficient processes ensure companies of all sizes benefit from quick and affordable hair follicle testing solutions, enhancing overall peace of mind without compromising financial concerns.

Affordable pricing structures combined with rapid results reinforce the attractiveness of our services in South Dartmouth. Businesses can take advantage of cost-effective testing while ensuring they receive timely, reliable outcomes to support their operational goals.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In South Dartmouth, MA, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method stands out for its precision and rapid detection capability, ensuring high accuracy in identifying substance use. Employers benefit from timely, accurate assessments of potential employees, solidifying the efficacy of hair testing over other methods.

With streamlined processes in place in South Dartmouth, MA, hair follicle tests provide results quickly and efficiently. Such speed aids in faster decision-making, ensuring that businesses can maintain their integrity and operational standards without delay. The combination of accuracy and speed reinforces the reliability of hair follicle testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in South Dartmouth, MA, ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, providing peace of mind for employers. Beyond just policy adherence, this testing method also mitigates legal risks, enhancing workplace safety and fostering a more secure environment.

Hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free workplace initiatives, assuring compliance and reducing potential liabilities. For employers in South Dartmouth, adopting this method reinforces a culture of safety and integrity, promoting confidence in workforce management.

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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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