Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Walpole, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations have emerged as an effective resource in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the strands of developing hair, it offers an extended view of alcohol and narcotics usage history. When extracted from near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use for a period of up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipment.

An ideal screening and confirmation sample consists of a 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, providing 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is advised. Use a jeweler’s scale for precise specimen measurement. Should scalp hair be absent, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab processing for drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step involving sample integration into a lab's system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, results showing a positive screen require confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples showing presumptive positives in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

When a Screening stage sample shows presumptive positivity, additional hair is taken from the original sample for preparation for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at a much lower concentration level than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the challenge of hair drug screening methodologies.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed for Confirmation of any positive screening result. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can track drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, resulting in more legitimate outcomes.
• Historical insight: It reveals a timeline of drug use, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to trace recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing approaches.
• Results discrepancies: Hair characteristics like color and growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, the benefits are distinct in South Walpole, MA. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, allowing a longer detection window of up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which are effective only for shorter durations.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing in South Walpole, MA, is its extended detection window. This method allows for the identification of substance use over a period of up to 90 days, offering employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s drug history, far surpassing what urine tests can offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in South Walpole, MA, is recognized for its tamper-resistant capabilities. Unlike urine tests, hair tests significantly reduce the chances of sample adulteration. This ensures that the results obtained are both reliable and foolproof.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with Accredited Drug Testing’s locations. In South Walpole, MA, as well as nationwide, we have made accessing drug testing services easy. Our numerous centers facilitate quick and hassle-free testing service, making the process smooth for all involved.
Local and widespread testing locations ensure individuals can access services without delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

South Walpole, MA, residents can benefit from a simple and confidential hair follicle testing process. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, protecting privacy and ensuring ease of use for all participants. The process upholds confidentiality, prioritizing the user’s trust and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in South Walpole, MA, prides itself on offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing structures are designed to provide excellent value, catering to companies of any size, while ensuring results are delivered promptly, enhancing value and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In South Walpole, MA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing precisely identifies substance use with high accuracy.
The process is swift, minimizing waiting time for results, and ensures precise detection, providing confidence in the outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

With hair follicle testing in South Walpole, MA, companies can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This not only reduces legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety, giving employers peace of mind knowing their testing methods are robust and in line with legal standards.

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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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