Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Newbury, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers incorporate biomarkers of alcohol and other drugs, providing a history that can span several months. Samples taken near the scalp can offer a detection window of up to three months for alcohol and other drugs. This method is straightforward to collect, less susceptible to tampering, and can be easily transported.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields around 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. To test EtG, utilize add-ons, or for tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to gather 150mg of hair. It is suggested that specimens be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used instead. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair, with body hair encompassing all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory testing process for a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is introduced into the lab's system where it is verified for proper sealing and shipping, assigned a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and necessary data entry that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody is completed.

Screening serves as a preliminary check for drug use, providing a cost-efficient method to rule out drug presence in most samples. However, any positive screen requires confirmation for courtroom admissibility. All Screening samples with presumed positives undergo further confirmation.

For samples that show a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and is readied for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at lower concentrations than found in other samples like urine or oral fluids, underscoring hair drug analysis as one of the more challenging methodologies.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used to confirm a positive screen result. Samples deemed presumptive positive are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Lengthy detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Increased accuracy: The difficulty in tampering with hair drug tests leads to more accurate results.
• Historical usage patterns: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Limited recent use detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in terms of detection capabilities in West Newbury, MA, boils down to its superior accuracy and dependability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle evaluations provide a larger window of detection and less susceptibility to tampering. This reliability means employers gain access to more accurate histories of substance use, allowing informed decisions rather than ones tainted by potential misinterpretation or deception.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a notable advantage of hair follicle testing in West Newbury, MA. While urine tests only capture recent substance use, hair evaluations offer a retrospective look into as far back as 90 days. This lengthy detection period equips employers with comprehensive insights, providing them with a clearer picture of an applicant's or employee's past drug use, thereby supporting smarter and safer hiring practices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The Tamper-Resistant Testing Method presented by hair follicle tests in West Newbury, MA, significantly curtails the chances of sample manipulation. Unlike other testing methods, this form is virtually impervious to external interference. This integrity ensures that results are trustworthy, delivering unequivocal proof of an individual's drug history and fortifying the credibility of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and specific options in West Newbury, MA, accessing hair testing services has never been easier. Accredited Drug Testing's expansive network guarantees that individuals can locate nearby centers quickly, contributing to seamless and stress-free testing experiences. This availability underscores our commitment to efficient and user-friendly healthcare solutions when drug screening is needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

The Simple, Confidential Process for conducting hair follicle tests in West Newbury, MA ensures that both individuals and employers experience a hassle-free approach when obtaining results. With the utmost dedication to privacy, all stages—from ordering to result delivery—are engineered to protect personal information and maintain discretion, making this a preferred testing method for those who prioritize confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in West Newbury, MA, hair follicle testing is an efficient choice for companies of various sizes. Our competitive pricing strategies, alongside swift processing times, allow businesses to achieve their drug screening objectives economically while ensuring timely access to critical information. These factors contribute to a cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are the hallmark of hair follicle drug testing in West Newbury, MA. This method offers exceptional precision and speed, allowing for almost instant identification of substance use. Hair testing ensures a higher rate of accuracy, making it a favored choice for those needing quick yet dependable results. The ability to promptly validate drug presence adds an invaluable layer of reliability for businesses in the region.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers utilizing hair follicle testing in West Newbury, MA, is crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace. By adhering to established protocols, employers can rest assured knowing their policies align with both legal and safety requirements. This minimizes risks, promotes safer work environments, and bolsters employer confidence when it comes to upholding zero-tolerance substance use mandates.

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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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