Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bennington, NH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair captures a long-term record of substance intake by embedding biomarkers into the strands that grow. When gathered near the scalp, it can reveal a substance use history of up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil), is needed for the optimal 100mg specimen for assessments and verification. For EtG, supplementary testing, and/or tests above 10 panels, a larger sample of 150mg is advised. The use of a jeweler’s scale for accurate specimen measurement is suggested. If there is no scalp hair available, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in lab processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of initial sample integration into a lab's systems. This stage checks that the sample is properly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputs any extra data that is not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for substances. Though this method is cost-efficient in excluding drug use in most samples, a positive outcome in Screening must be verified to be usable in court. Any samples flagged as potentially positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

Should a sample show a potentially positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug testing.

Positive finds from initial screening undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumed positive samples are cleaned before confirmation when needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined per CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair protocols and accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate results: Hair drug tests are challenging to falsify, ensuring more reliable results.
• Traces usage patterns: It offers insight into drug use patterns over a span of time rather than only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Does not reveal recent use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than other drug testing options.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Known as "hair follicle tests", the examinations actually focus on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests in Bennington, NH, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hailed for its extended detection window, hair testing is preferred by employers, providing detailed insights into an individual’s substance use history. This extensive detection makes hair testing a more effective method compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Bennington, NH provides an extended detection window, monitoring substance use for as long as 90 days. Unlike other methods, this approach gives a comprehensive view of an individual's drug history, allowing employers to make informed decisions based on extensive behavioral data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Bennington, NH showcases the efficacy of hair follicle tests with their tamper-resistant capabilities. By significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration, this method delivers reliable and indisputable results, making it an ideal choice for settings demanding the highest level of integrity and confidence in drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Bennington, NH, our facilities provide easy and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services. This wide-reaching availability guarantees quick and seamless testing processes for individuals and businesses across different locales.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bennington, NH, the hair follicle test procedure is simple and confidential. This straightforward method addresses privacy concerns, providing a seamless experience from ordering to receiving results. Users can trust in an easy-to-follow process that respects their confidentiality and delivers peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Bennington, NH, our hair follicle testing services provide exceptional value. Companies of all sizes can benefit from competitive pricing structures and quick result delivery, enhancing decision-making speed and ensuring efficient use of resources.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bennington, NH, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method boasts high precision in detecting substance use, swiftly and effectively identifying drug use patterns. The efficiency and dependability of hair testing make it a preferred choice in scenarios requiring prompt and trustworthy analysis.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bennington, NH gain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing. This method not only ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies but also diminishes legal risks while fostering a safer work environment. Knowing they are in compliance with regulations, employers can prioritize productivity and safety.

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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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