Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Worthington, MA

What it is, How it works

The method of hair examination has garnered a reputation as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair can chronicle an extended history of substance use, with biomarkers encapsulated in the strands as they grow. When gathered close to the scalp, analysis of hair can reveal drug and alcohol presence over a span of nearly three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising around 200 strands (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or any analysis exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is advisable. Should scalp hair be missing, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When describing head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes any other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The drug testing lab process is comprised of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is where a sample initially enters a laboratory's framework. This process involves confirming the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and carrying out any necessary extra data entry if not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary review for substance abuse. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most cases at a lower cost, a positive outcome must be verified for legal acceptance. Samples that test positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample is preliminarily positive during Screening, more hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn out from the hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology.

To validate any positive screening results, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed. All suspected positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Challenging to deceive: Deceiving a hair drug test is particularly hard, ensuring more accurate results.
• Records past usage: Offers insights into substance consumption patterns over time rather than just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to sense recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is generally pricier than other methodologies.
• Result variability: Factors like hair hue and personal differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug residues in hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests”, the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Hair follicle testing outshines urine testing in precision and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing boasts a much longer detection window and is less susceptible to manipulation. This method ensures the detection of a broader history of substance use, offering a more comprehensive analysis absent in urine-based tests.

Extended Detection Window

Long-Term Detection Hair follicle testing in Worthington, MA, provides insights into drug use over an extended 90-day period, offering employers a thorough review of an individual's substance history. This long detection window equips organizations with a comprehensive overview, enhancing informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing Hair follicle tests represent a tamper-resistant approach in Worthington, MA, significantly lowering the chances of sample adulteration. This secure testing method ensures results that are reliable and undeniable, promoting confidence in the accuracy of drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Centers Enjoy the ease of nationwide and local testing centers in Worthington, MA. Our extensive network facilitates quick and accessible drug testing services, simplifying the process and minimizing the hassle involved in scheduling and completing necessary tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Private The process for ordering, conducting, and obtaining hair follicle test results in Worthington, MA, is designed to be simple and confidential. Prioritizing user privacy and ease, Accredited Drug Testing ensures a seamless experience free from complexity and anxiety over personal data exposure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective and Swift Experience exceptional value with competitive pricing and quick return times in Worthington, MA. Our hair follicle testing service promises affordability without compromising the speed of results, making it a beneficial option for companies of various sizes aiming for effective drug testing protocols.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate Outcomes In Worthington, MA, hair follicle drug tests deliver rapid and reliable results. With high precision in detecting substance use, this method swiftly provides accurate identification of drug history, surpassing traditional testing methods. The quick delivery of results supports timely decision-making and policy enforcement with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance In Worthington, MA, hair follicle testing helps organizations maintain workplace safety and compliance with drug-free policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing security, this method offers peace of mind through assurance of a drug-free environment, critical for operational integrity.

Drug Testing Near Worthington, MA

Dalton, MA

Ashfield, MA

Huntington, MA

Westhampton, MA

Hinsdale, MA

Becket, MA

Chester, MA

Plainfield, MA

Peru, MA

Middlefield, MA

Cummington, MA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews