Importance of Hair in Diagnosis, Management, and Monitoring of Dependent Subjects

The document highlighted the importance of hair analysis in diagnosing, managing, and monitoring addiction. Hair, once considered an alternative matrix, provided crucial clinical and judicial information. The study emphasized that hair analysis could map substance use and frequency, with recommendations from the Society of Hair Testing. Key molecules of interest included methadone, buprenorphine, naloxone, baclofen, nalmefene, and naltrexone. Factors like hair color, growth rate, cosmetic treatments, and storage conditions significantly impacted result interpretation. The approach extended the detection window beyond blood or urine analysis, offering insights into consumption patterns over months or years.