Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Carbondale, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands. When obtained near the scalp, it provides an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment amounting to about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, expanded panels, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample weight with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, a comparable volume of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair. "Body hair" indicates any other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening comprises an initial assessment for prohibited substances. While Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to exclude drugs in most samples, a positive outcome must be validated for court use. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, more hair is sourced from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at much lower levels than other methods (such as urine or saliva), highlighting why hair screening is the most challenging method to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is used to confirm any screening positive results. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed if required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and follows ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation protocols.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug exams track drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is extremely hard to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It uncovers drug use patterns over time, rather than recent usage only.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Hair drug examinations tend to be pricier than other testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair pigmentation and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Carbondale, PA, hair follicle testing is preferred over urine tests for its superior accuracy and reliability. These tests possess a longer detection period which urine tests lack, making them more effective.

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing offers a broader detection window, ensuring a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Carbondale, PA, offers an unparalleled detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to monitor long-term substance use among employees.

This extended detection period provides a detailed substance use profile, helping employers make informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Carbondale, PA, hair follicle tests drastically reduce the chance of tampering, offering a trustworthy method of obtaining drug testing results.

The observed collection process in hair testing makes it nearly impossible to adulterate samples, ensuring integrity and accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Carbondale, PA, benefits from Accredited Drug Testing's broad network of nationwide centers, providing convenient access to testing without any hassle.

With locations across various cities, effective drug testing becomes accessible and streamlined, meeting both local and national needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Carbondale, PA, the process of hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential, easing concerns over privacy and making the experience straightforward.

From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to be private and efficient, ensuring peace of mind for test-takers.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Carbondale, PA, businesses benefit from competitive pricing on hair follicle testing, along with fast turnaround times that guarantee swift results.

Affordable options ensure companies of all sizes can access high-quality drug testing services without straining their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Carbondale, PA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and rapid results. It ensures high accuracy in identifying substance use, catering to the needs of both employers and individuals.

The quick processing times of hair follicle testing highlight its reliability and efficiency, offering fast results without compromising on accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Carbondale, PA, aligns with workplace drug-free policies, decreasing legal risks while enhancing safety and employee well-being.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing they're compliant with regulations, maintaining a safe and productive work environment.

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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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