Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bruin, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a history of substance use by retaining biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When hair is collected close to the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. A jeweler’s scale is recommended for measuring the specimen’s weight. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, and so on).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for drug testing results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage, where a sample enters the laboratory’s system. This step includes verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drugs. While cost-effective for ruling out substance use in the majority of samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for legal validity. Samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair in concentrations significantly lower than those in methodologies like urine or oral fluid, explaining the complexity of hair drug screenings.

Any positive screening outcomes are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Difficulty to cheat: A hair drug test is challenging to manipulate, yielding more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: It shows a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It generally takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing methodologies.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those in Bruin, PA, hair follicle tests stand superior to urine tests. Hair testing offers a broader detection window, spotting substance use that urine tests might miss. Not only do hair tests detect a wider range of substances, but they also provide results that are tough to tamper with, ensuring integrity and reliability.

Unlike urine tests, which only cover recent use, hair tests detect drug use over a 90-day period. Its observed collection process ensures sample authenticity, offering superior accuracy and making it the preferred choice in many domains.

Extended Detection Window

Among the standout features of hair follicle testing in Bruin, PA is its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This capability offers employers and institutions a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug history, enhancing decision-making processes.

With a detection period far surpassing that of other methods, hair tests are invaluable for providing a complete picture of an applicant or employee's substance use. This long duration underscores its effectiveness in tracking drug usage over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant edge in drug testing within Bruin, PA. By significantly reducing the risk of sample manipulation, these tests provide results that are both dependable and unquestionable.

This method is collected through a monitored process, ensuring the sample's integrity. As a result, employers and legal entities are assured of genuine results, reducing concerns over adulteration present in other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents in Bruin, PA and beyond benefit from our convenient testing locations. With centers nationwide, accessing drug testing services is straightforward, ensuring quick, easy, and hassle-free testing.

Our widespread locations facilitate seamless access, making it effortless for individuals and employers to engage with testing services. This accessibility further enhances the convenience factor for nationwide clientele.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Bruin, PA is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring privacy and ease for all involved.

Concerns over confidentiality are addressed through secure systems that streamline the entire testing procedure. This approach reassures users that their results are handled discreetly and efficiently, enhancing user confidence and participation.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bruin, PA, our hair follicle testing is synonymous with affordable pricing and fast turnaround. By combining these features, we offer excellent value for employers of all sizes.

Competitive pricing models make effective drug testing accessible without compromising on result speed or reliability. This balance ensures that businesses receive high-quality services promptly, reinforcing confidence in our testing capabilities.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Bruin, PA are known for their fast and accurate results. Their high precision in detecting substance use provides a significant advantage over other methods. Test results are reliably quick, ensuring minimal waiting time for both employers and individuals seeking clarity about drug use.

Compared to traditional methods, hair tests provide results that are both swift and consistent. This consistency makes them a reliable choice for those who need accurate drug testing quickly. With cutting-edge techniques, detection of drug use is enhanced in terms of both speed and accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bruin, PA can achieve compliance and peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method effectively complements workplace drug-free policies, mitigating potential legal challenges.

By adopting this testing method, companies bolster safety and legal compliance. Moreover, the test's extensive detection capability provides a robust tool for maintaining a safe and substance-free work environment.

Drug Testing Near Bruin, PA

Rimersburg, PA

Callensburg, PA

Boyers, PA

West Sunbury, PA

Emlenton, PA

St. Petersburg, PA

Saint Petersburg, PA

East Brady, PA

Chicora, PA

Eau Claire, PA

Hilliards, PA

North Washington, PA

Karns City, PA

Parker, PA

Petrolia, 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