Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Birchwood Lakes, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations are now recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is unobtainable, the equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four major stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample into a lab’s system. It comprises ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage on most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening do necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a briefer detection window.
• Challenging to deceive: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical insight: It can establish a drug usage pattern over a duration, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It approximately takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual distinctions in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself analyzes the hair strand instead of the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Birchwood Lakes, PA sees the clear benefits of hair follicle testing over urine analysis. The former delivers a superior detection accuracy, offering reliable insights into substance habits.

• A broader detection spectrum is achieved, encompassing weeks to months of drug use.
• Its objectivity and dependability outperform urine tests, diminishing uncertainties in results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Birchwood Lakes, PA triumphs with its remarkable ability to trace drug use for up to 90 days. This extended detection window permits employers and professionals a comprehensive glimpse into an individual’s substance history, vital for recruitment and ongoing evaluations.

• Long-term usage is discernible, surpassing the limited scope of urine tests.
• It assures a thorough breakdown of one's past substance interactions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Birchwood Lakes, PA, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant solution, significantly reducing sample adulteration risks. Offering reliable and trustworthy results, it assures professionals of the authenticity and integrity of samples. Its structure prevents common falsification practices, ensuring credibility.

• Its inherent characteristics make tampering almost impossible.
• Provides a true representation of a subject's substance habits.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Birchwood Lakes, PA residents enjoy the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing’s extensive network of testing locations across the nation. This accessibility ensures that testing services are swiftly and efficiently provided.
Accessibility eases the user experience offering seamless testing procedures.

• Nationwide presence guarantees service wherever needed.
• Local centers parallel unique community needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Birchwood Lakes, PA is simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use from ordering to receiving results. It prioritizes privacy, allowing users to undertake tests confidently.

• Procedures are straightforward, eliminating confusion.
• Ensured privacy empowers individuals and organizations.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Birchwood Lakes, PA, Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround distinguish Accredited Drug Testing’s hair follicle services. Our competitive pricing models provide excellent value while speeding up result delivery, catering effectively to organizations of varied scales.

• Economic rates offer superior service access.
• Prompt results align with company schedules.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Birchwood Lakes, PA, hair follicle drug tests set the standard for fast and accurate results. The method’s excellence in precision is unmatched, offering reliable data on substance usage. The speed at which results are obtained coupled with their correctness ensures that professionals receive trustworthy evaluations, powering informed decisions.
Accurate and timely results are crucial, making hair follicle testing ideal for comprehensive drug assessments.

• The tests’ sensitivity ensures a detailed report on substance use.
• Turnaround time is quick, delivering data without unnecessary delays.
• Accuracy is dependable, providing clear and definitive outcomes for agencies and employers alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Birchwood Lakes, PA greatly benefit from hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with workplace drug policies. This testing method reduces legal liabilities, enhancing workplace safety and promoting a drug-free environment.
Employee compliance is reinforced through meticulous testing protocols respecting company standards.

• Fosters an environment of accountability and safety.
• Reinforces adherence to established drug-free policies.

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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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