Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cambridge, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly viewed as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of up to three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for testing and validation. For EtG add-ons or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" applies to any other types of hair (such as facial or underarm hair).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is concerned with the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might lack.

Screening is a rapid initial test for traces of drug use. While Screening is cost-efficient and eliminates the likelihood of drug use in many cases, positive results from Screening need confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening must be verified by a further test.

When a presumptive positive result appears in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentration levels than in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is among the more challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation testing for any positive screening outcomes is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a 90-day period, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: A hair drug test is extremely challenging to falsify, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Chronicles usage patterns: It demonstrates a history of drug use over an extended time frame, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of pinpointing recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cambridge, PA

Comparing hair follicle and urine tests, hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability. For residents of Cambridge, PA, hair tests present a compelling option as they have a broader detection window and are less susceptible to manipulation, unlike traditional urine tests that are often limited to recent substance use detection.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Cambridge, PA

With hair follicle testing, the possibilities of understanding drug use history extend significantly compared to other methods. In Cambridge, PA, employers benefit from a thorough 90-day retrospective into an individual's substance habits, offering a more complete view into potential risks without the need for repeated testing.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cambridge, PA

In Cambridge, PA, hair follicle tests offer a highly tamper-resistant approach. The structure of the hair makes it nearly impervious to adulteration or contamination, unlike urine samples which are easily manipulated. This ensures the authenticity and reliability of test results, providing assurance and accuracy in substance assessment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Cambridge, PA

In Cambridge, PA, and nationwide, our testing centers offer incredible convenience. The ease of accessing services across numerous locations ensures that testing is never a hassle, making the whole experience simple and straightforward, from ordering to receiving results.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Cambridge, PA

Our testing process in Cambridge, PA, is designed to be both simple and confidential. Clients can easily order tests, take them, and receive results without privacy concerns. This provides a user-friendly experience, ensuring security and confidentiality are prioritized throughout each step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cambridge, PA

Our competitive pricing structures in Cambridge, PA, along with fast result processing times, ensure clients receive excellent value. Catering to companies of all sizes, we focus on providing economic solutions without compromising the quality of testing accuracy and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Cambridge, PA

Hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and rapid turnaround. In Cambridge, PA, leveraging this method ensures you benefit from an unparalleled level of accuracy when it comes to detecting substance use. Results from hair tests are not only fast but also offer a more comprehensive insight into an individual's long-term substance use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cambridge, PA

With hair follicle testing in Cambridge, PA, employers enforce strict drug-free workplace standards, minimizing legal exposures and promoting a safer, more productive work environment. This reliable method helps ensure compliance with policies, offering peace of mind through its sustained detection capability.

Drug Testing Near Cambridge, PA

Middleboro, PA

Union City, PA

Riceville, PA

Kerrtown, PA

Guys Mills, PA

Townville, PA

Meadville, PA

Canadohta Lake, PA

Lincolnville, PA

Waterford, PA

Blooming Valley, PA

Saegertown, PA

Edinboro, PA

Woodcock, PA

Cambridge Springs, 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.

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