Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bernville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair provides an extensive record of drugs and alcohol by capturing biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. Collected near the scalp, this type of sample can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to send for analysis.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, equates to 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests over 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be procured, an equal amount of body hair is acceptable. 'Head hair' pertains to scalp hair specifically, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other variations (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory's system. This process involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry duties not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for commonly abused drugs. Although a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage for most samples, any positive results require confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that show a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further verification.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity at the Screening phase, additional hair from the sample is prepped for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complex nature of hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any tentative positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo a cleaning procedure as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process spans from Accessioning to Confirmation and is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can recognize drug use up to 90 days, versus urine tests' shorter detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: Hair drug testing is notably hard to manipulate, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insights: Provides a usage pattern over different periods rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapability of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the testing actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bernville, PA, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests in detecting past substance use. Hair tests provide a broader detection window, accurately identifying drug use for up to 90 days, which is far lengthier than urine's short-term scope.

The reliability of hair testing outshines urine tests, particularly for employers and legal systems enforcing strict drug policies. These tests resist tampering and deliver irrefutable results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug tests in Bernville, PA, provide an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing urine tests. This lengthy period gives employers a thorough overview of substance use history.

Through hair analysis, organizations gain insights into consistent or repeated drug habits, offering a comprehensive picture that brief urine tests cannot match. This expanded timeline is advantageous in maintaining rigorous standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method in Bernville, PA, minimizing the risk of adulterated samples. Unlike urine tests, the integrity of hair samples remains intact, ensuring trustworthy results.

Employers value the reliability of hair follicle tests for their resistance to manipulation. This dependable method is critical for credible substance testing in the community.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Access drug testing with ease in Bernville, PA, thanks to our extensive network of centers nationwide. Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient, stress-free services for all your testing needs.

Local facilities are readily available, ensuring quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug tests. Our broad geographic presence guarantees testing convenience across the area.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a straightforward, confidential procedure in Bernville, PA, for drug testing. Our process from ordering to results emphasizes privacy and simplicity, easing user concerns.

From initiation to outcome, Accredited Drug Testing streamlines the experience, assuring confidentiality and ease at every stage, thus fostering trust and satisfaction.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bernville, PA, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, delivering value and peace of mind across businesses of any size.

Our cost-effective plans and rapid results guarantee an exceptional balance of quality and economy, fulfilling your testing needs efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and velocity of hair follicle drug tests in Bernville, PA, ensure accurate substance detection. These tests are acclaimed for their exceptional reliability in identifying drug use, offering a decisive edge over other methods.

The efficacy of hair testing shines through its accuracy, providing results that businesses and individuals can trust. Each test is meticulously carried out, promising speed without sacrificing validity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bernville, PA, achieve peace of mind and compliance with drug-free policies using hair follicle tests. This method reduces legal liability and bolsters workplace safety through reliable detection.

The assurance of hair testing enhances workplace integrity, enabling adherence to safety standards and diminishing the risk of substance-related incidents.

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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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