Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Millbury, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a key method for identifying drug and alcohol use. By embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair strand as it grows, hair offers a historical record of alcohol and drug consumption. If hair is taken close to the scalp, it can provide a detection period of roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and can be shipped efficiently.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, produces 100mg of hair, which is an ideal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg of the specimen. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be acquired. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" pertains to other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The core stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was sealed and transported appropriately, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, any positive findings necessitate confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples suspected of being positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suspected to be positive are cleansed as needed before confirmation. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Provides historical data: It offers a record of drug use across time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Millbury, OH
Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability when compared to traditional urine tests. Its extensive detection window and resistance to tampering provide a more comprehensive and foolproof picture of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Millbury, OH
With a detection period extending up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers employers valuable insights into an applicant or employee's long-term substance use. This broader timeframe delivers an in-depth understanding of a person’s drug use pattern.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Millbury, OH
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the chances of sample adulteration or substitution, ensuring reliable results. This secure method provides undeniable evidence of substance use, maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Millbury, OH
The widespread availability of our testing centers enables swift, straightforward, and stress-free access to drug testing services, whether locally in Millbury or throughout the Nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Millbury, OH
Our process is designed to be easy and discreet, ensuring clients can conveniently order, administer, and receive their test results with complete confidentiality and minimal hassle.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Millbury, OH
Our competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times provide exceptional value, aiding businesses of all sizes with cost-effective, rapid drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Millbury, OH
Hair follicle drug testing stands out with its rapid, precise, and dependable nature, offering high accuracy in identifying substance use. This method enables faster results, helping individuals and organizations make informed decisions swiftly and confidently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Millbury, OH
Employing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, helping to mitigate legal threats and promoting a safer working environment. This testing method reinforces compliance and peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Millbury, OH

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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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