Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Northfield, VT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a potent instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair provides a detection period of up to approximately 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It is advised to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If there is no scalp hair available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. Mentioning head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result laboratory process involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning handles the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This step confirms the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating in a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, hence more reliable results.
• Historical insight: Offers a timeline of drug use over months, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Variances due to hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: While called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand and not the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Northfield, VT, hair follicle testing is a compelling alternative to urine tests, offering enhanced accuracy. This method benefits from an extended detection period, superior to that of urine tests, ensuring a thorough examination.

The dependable nature of hair follicle analysis, combined with its comprehensive detection capacity, establishes it as a premier option for various testing requirements.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Northfield, VT stands out due to its prolonged detection window, reaching up to 90 days. Employers gain a more comprehensive view of individuals' substance use history.

This extended period ensures a thorough understanding of past behavior, benefiting those making informed decisions regarding hiring or employee evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method used in Northfield, VT significantly minimizes the likelihood of sample tampering. This offers unparalleled reliability in drug test results.

Employers and institutions benefit from this dependable method, as the risk of adulteration is virtually eliminated, maintaining the trustworthiness of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is paramount with our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including Northfield, VT. Clients can effortlessly access our services with local proximity and swiftness.

This expansive reach eliminates any hassle, making drug testing an uncomplicated and easily accessible process for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Northfield, VT, our hair follicle drug testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and simplicity.

This seamless approach addresses privacy concerns, ensuring a stress-free experience for clients seeking testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing, our hair follicle testing in Northfield, VT provides remarkable value. Coupled with swift turnaround times, companies of all sizes benefit greatly from this cost-effective solution.

Clients experience not only affordability but also efficiency, gaining peace of mind with rapid results that don't break the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Northfield, VT offers remarkable precision and swiftness in drug detection. Compared to traditional testing methods, hair follicle analyses boast superior accuracy in identifying substance use.

Complementary to its rapidity, this method provides exceptionally reliable detection results, underscoring its status as a trusted choice in the realm of drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Northfield, VT, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method supports compliance, minimizing legal liabilities while promoting a safe work environment.

Integrating hair testing into company protocol provides employers peace of mind, safeguarding workplace integrity and productivity.

Drug Testing Near Northfield, VT

Graniteville-East Barre, VT

Waitsfield, VT

Montpelier, VT

Moretown, VT

Washington, VT

Barre, VT

Graniteville, VT

Brookfield, VT

South Barre, VT

Williamstown, VT

Berlin, VT

Roxbury, VT

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