Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bethel, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is perceived as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When gathered near the scalp, it can reveal substance use over a period extending up to around 3 months. Hair is easy to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred sample size for testing. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar portion of body hair may be used. Referring to head hair means scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process of a drug test consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample within the lab's systems. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional information missing from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary examination for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-effective strategy to disqualify most samples for drug usage, a positive result must be confirmed to stand in court. Any samples marked presumptive positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation step.

If Screening suggests a sample is positive, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, substances are drawn from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence hair drug testing is recognized as the most challenging to undertake.

To confirm positive results from Screening, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before the confirmation process as needed. The entire lab journey from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which cover a shorter timespan.
• Resistant to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is tough, increasing result reliability.
• Provides historical insight: It showcases drug use patterns over time, not just present consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot pinpoint recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variations in hair color and growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Bethel, PA, the advantages are evident. Hair testing offers unmatched detection accuracy, spanning longer periods. This makes it a superior choice for those seeking reliable results.
While urine tests serve their purpose, especially for recent substance use, hair tests provide a broader detection window and are more resistant to tampering.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Bethel, PA, provide an extended detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This long-term view offers employers insights into an individual's substance habits beyond immediate consumption.
The ability to look back over several months provides a detailed substance history, invaluable in assessing an employee or candidate's long-term behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bethel, PA, hair follicle testing significantly diminishes the chance of sample tampering. This method ensures that results are both reliable and difficult to alter. Unlike other tests, hair samples are challenging to adulterate or substitute.
This reliability is a cornerstone for courts, employers, and professionals relying on trustworthy drug testing results that withstand scrutiny.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of local and nationwide testing centers makes accessing services in Bethel, PA, seamless. Accredited Drug Testing ensures quick, hassle-free test arrangements, emphasizing client convenience.
This outreach allows individuals to get tested without tedious procedures, simplifying the logistical aspects of the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bethel, PA, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step respects privacy concerns.
This user-friendly approach ensures ease of use, making it accessible even for those unfamiliar with the procedure.

Clients can confidently engage with the process, assured of discretion and efficiency throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Bethel, PA, offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
Our cost-effective solutions do not compromise on quality, ensuring that companies gain peace of mind without breaking the bank, enhancing overall satisfaction with our services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bethel, PA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. They offer high accuracy, making them an excellent choice for detecting substance use effectively. Results are generated quickly, providing a reliable assessment that surpasses other methods.

Employers and individuals appreciate the detailed insights these tests provide. It's a dependable way to ensure that substance use, if present, is identified promptly and accurately.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bethel, PA, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing. It aligns with workplace drug-free policies, supporting compliance and safeguarding against legal challenges. Such testing also promotes a safer working environment.

Ensuring adherence to these policies reduces risks, making hair testing an integral tool for maintaining regulatory compliance and enhancing workplace safety.

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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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