Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Acton, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a valuable means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating markers within the expanding hair fibers. When sampled near the scalp, hair provides up to about a three-month window for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch hair segment, comprising roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size), close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and exams exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's recommended to weigh the hair using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable volume of body hair can be gathered. When referencing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a lab system. This step includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is economical for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal proceedings. Any samples returning presumptive positives during Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a sample indicates a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most demanding methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug screening can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter window of urine tests.
• High resistance to tampering: It's exceedingly difficult to deceive a hair drug test, rendering the results more reliable.
• Provides usage history: It presents a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly than other methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In West Acton, MA, hair follicle tests offer multiple advantages over traditional urine tests. Their detection accuracy and reliability surpass that of urine tests.

• Longer detection periods provide a comprehensive view of drug use.
• Observed collection process reduces tampering risks.
• Difficulty in cheating ensures test validity.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in West Acton, MA benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests, which can track drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive period offers a complete view of a person's substance history.

• Helps employers evaluate an applicant’s or employee's past usage.
• Gives insights far beyond the capabilities of urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In West Acton, MA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant testing method. Their design significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring reliable outcomes.

• Observed collection minimizes potential for sample fraud.
• Results derived from this method are difficult to dispute.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our West Acton, MA locations are part of a nationwide network of testing centers, delivering convenience and accessibility.

• Quick and easy access to testing services.
• Ensures a hassle-free testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In West Acton, MA, the process of hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are straightforward, upholding privacy at each step.

• Streamlined procedures minimize hassle.
• Privacy is respected throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In West Acton, MA, our hair follicle tests offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This competitive pricing provides excellent value.

• Quick results help in informed decision-making.
• Financially accessible for companies of varying sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In West Acton, MA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast and accurate results, ensuring precision in detecting substance use. Their ability to deliver reliable outcomes with high accuracy is unmatched.

• Quick processing times ensure timely answers.
• High-level accuracy guarantees trustworthy findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In West Acton, MA, hair follicle testing assures employers compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method aids in reducing legal risks and boosts workplace safety.

• Facilitates adherence to drug use policies.
• Enhances the overall company safety environment.

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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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