Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Beavertown, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluations have emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and various drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hairs (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplemental, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We propose using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all non-scalp hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The key phases in processing a laboratory drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a lab's framework. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary check for the presence of drugs. Screening is an economical tool to exclude drug use in most samples. However, a positive screen requires further confirmation to be legally valid. Samples returning positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for Extraction. During this stage, substances are extracted from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), presenting a greater challenge in hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing positive in Screening undergo a pre-confirmation wash as needed. Every stage from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reflect drug use over a span of up to 90 days, as opposed to the shorter window offered by urine tests.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Tracks historical consumption: Provides insights into a person's drug usage patterns over time, rather than just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than alternatives.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is common, but the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Beavertown, PA

Hair follicle testing offers major advantages over traditional urine tests with superior detection accuracy. The extended detection window can reveal substance use over the past 90 days, surpassing urine's shorter timeframe. This method prevents tampering and ensures reliable results for employers seeking definitive proof of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Beavertown, PA

Hair follicle testing allows for a deep-dive into an individual's drug history, uncovering usage up to 90 days prior. This extensive window permits employers to gain insight into long-term trends in substance use, fostering a clearer picture of an employee's behavior over time. The longer detection period is a decisive factor in maintaining workplace standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Beavertown, PA

Hair follicle tests in Beavertown are designed to be tamper-resistant, dramatically reducing the risk of sample adulteration. The robust nature of these tests ensures that the results are trustworthy and cannot be easily manipulated, providing employers with confidence in the integrity of the testing process and its outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Beavertown, PA

With testing centers spread across the country, accessing hair follicle testing services in Beavertown is effortless. The nationwide network ensures that tests can be conducted quickly and conveniently, minimizing the hassle for both employers and individuals. Local availability boosts accessibility and expedites the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Beavertown, PA

Our process for hair follicle testing is both straightforward and confidential, aimed at protecting privacy while ensuring ease of use. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed to be seamless and secure, making the experience hassle-free and respecting individual confidentiality throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Beavertown, PA

Our competitive pricing ensures that businesses of all sizes find value in hair follicle testing, paired with fast turnaround times for results. These factors together deliver excellent service while maintaining cost-effectiveness, supporting employers who seek accurate and reliable testing for their workforce without compromising on value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Beavertown, PA

Hair follicle drug testing in Beavertown stands out for its precision and speed, delivering results that are both rapid and highly accurate. These tests can efficiently detect substance use, ensuring employers receive reliable information rapidly. With swift processing times, hair tests provide the thoroughness needed for confident decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Beavertown, PA

Implementing hair follicle testing allows employers to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. These tests help mitigate legal risks while enhancing workplace safety. Knowing that the screening process is thorough and reliable offers peace of mind, fostering a secure and compliant work environment.

Drug Testing Near Beavertown, PA

Wagner, PA

Freeburg, PA

Kreamer, PA

East Salem, PA

Hartleton, PA

McAlisterville, PA

Laurelton, PA

Mount Pleasant Mills, PA

McClure, PA

Middleburg, PA

Richfield, PA

Paxtonville, PA

Troxelville, PA

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