Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bacton, PA

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has evolved to be regarded as a vital method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term indicator of alcohol and other drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can offer up to a roughly 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

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 amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Assessing the specimen on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the laboratory handling of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of processing a sample within a laboratory’s system. This encompasses verifying that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a quick initial check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen has to be confirmed for it to be admissible in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening do require further confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered a challenging methodology.

The Confirmation of a positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed as needed before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to falsify: It is very unlikely to cheat a hair drug test, which enhances result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bacton, PA, hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional methods, it provides a clearer picture of substance history.

Employers favor hair testing for its longer detection window and reliability, minimizing risks associated with substance abuse in the workplace.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Bacton, PA, spans up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an employee's drug use history.

Offering a long-term perspective on substance use, hair follicle tests provide employers with complete histories critical for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Bacton, PA, greatly reduce the risk of sample tampering, ensuring unquestionable results. This makes them the preferred method for many organizations.

The robust anti-tampering features of hair testing offer peace of mind to companies, as the integrity of the sample collection process is protected.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Bacton, PA residents benefit from accessible testing services, thanks to nationwide centers. Quick and hassle-free testing ensures convenience for all.

Our centers are strategically located, offering ease of access and reducing the time and effort required for testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bacton, PA, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. We ensure privacy throughout ordering, testing, and result dissemination.

Addressing privacy concerns, the process we follow ensures confidentiality, putting individuals' minds at ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Bacton, PA offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, combined with swift turnaround times, bringing great value to organizations.

Fast results coupled with affordable rates provide businesses, big or small, with both value and assurance of timely insights into employee substance use.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Bacton, PA, offer unmatched speed and accuracy in results. The tests demonstrate high precision in identifying substance use, making them a top choice for employers.

With swift and precise outcomes, these tests help businesses maintain safe environments through accurate detection of drug usage.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bacton, PA, choose hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with drug-free policies. This testing method reduces legal risks while enhancing workplace safety.

Providing employers with peace of mind, hair testing upholds safety and regulatory standards, ensuring a secure work environment.

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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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