Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bethany, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective instrument for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. This method captures a historical timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding markers within the fibers of the maturing hair strand. When obtained nearest the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, slightly challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximating the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. This can be measured using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. Here, head hair denotes only scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The crucial stages in the lab handling of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial inclusion into the lab system. It involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data recording missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary scan for illicit substances. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use across most samples, a positive screen requires further confirmation for court validity. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require secondary validation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is extracted for further examination. In this extraction phase, substances are isolated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug testing one of the toughest methods to execute.

Confirmation for positive screening results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are rinsed before confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation conforming to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can trace drug consumption for up to 90 days, a longer period than urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: The integrity of a hair drug test is higher, making it resistant to cheating.
• Reflects usage trend: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than solely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become discernible in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing procedures.
• Result variability: Factors like hair pigmentation and individual hair growth variability can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests," the evaluation targets the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bethany, PA

In the realm of drug detection, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. This method ensures a longer detection window and greater accuracy for substance monitoring.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing can accurately detect drug usage over a period of up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive overview of an individual's history. This broader timeframe gives employers a more reliable assessment, enhancing workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bethany, PA

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its extended detection period. This testing can reveal substance use over an impressive 90-day span, allowing employers to understand an individual's drug history better.

This comprehensive window is especially beneficial for gaining insights into patterns of use, supporting informed decision-making during hiring and retention processes within organizations in Bethany, PA.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bethany, PA

Hair follicle drug testing offers significant advantages due to its inherent resistance to tampering. In comparison to urine tests, the risk of sample adulteration is substantially reduced, ensuring the reliability of results.

This test's tamper-resistant nature makes it the preferred choice for positions where trust and dependability are essential. In Bethany, PA, organizations benefit from the undoubtable accuracy and security these tests offer.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bethany, PA

Our network of testing centers nationwide, including in Bethany, PA, provides quick and convenient access to hair follicle testing services. This makes it easier for individuals and businesses to engage in testing without any hassle.

The widespread availability of testing sites simplifies the logistics related to substance screening, ensuring tests are easily accessible and readily available when needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bethany, PA

The process for hair follicle drug testing is both simple and confidential, ensuring user privacy at every step. Ordering and taking the tests are streamlined processes designed to provide ease of use while maintaining the individual's confidentiality.

The results are handled similarly with privacy in mind, ensuring that sensitive information is protected while delivering accurate and reliable data to those who require it.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bethany, PA

Our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing alongside quick turnaround times, providing exceptional value for businesses of all sizes in Bethany, PA.

This affordability, combined with speedy results, supports companies in maintaining safety standards efficiently without burdensome costs, ensuring that both budget and timelines are respected.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bethany, PA, hair follicle drug testing is known for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method stands out due to its high precision in detecting substance use, ensuring that employers receive trustworthy data about an individual's drug usage history.

Compared to other testing methods, hair follicle tests provide a superior level of accuracy, capturing a comprehensive pattern of drug consumption. With quick processing times, these tests offer timely insights, critical for making informed decisions in various settings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bethany, PA

Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers in Bethany, PA ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks while enhancing overall workplace safety, leading to a more secure and productive environment.

With the credibility that hair testing guarantees, companies experience peace of mind, knowing that their compliance efforts are both effective and thorough.

Drug Testing Near Bethany, PA

Masthope, PA

Mayfield, PA

Fawn Lake Forest, PA

The Hideout, PA

Union Dale, PA

Lake Ariel, PA

Carbondale, PA

Hawley, PA

Forest City, PA

Vandling, PA

White Mills, PA

Beach Lake, PA

Waymart, PA

Prompton, PA

Honesdale, 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