Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chatwood, PA

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record of long-term substance use, capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair provides an approximate 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, making hair samples somewhat resistant to tampering and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (akin to the size of a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp supplies about 100mg of hair, which is considered optimal for both screening and verifying tests. For EtG, extra tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. If scalp hair isn't an option, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. By "head hair," we mean scalp hair exclusively. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair varieties (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the entry of a sample into a lab's system, confirming that it was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning an LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and finalizing any necessary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening provides an initial examination for drugs. While it's a cost-effective approach for ruling out drugs in most cases, a positive finding requires confirmation to be valid legally. Any sample testing positive in initial Screening will undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample prove positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is extracted for further analysis. In this phase, drugs are removed from the hair at concentrations lower than other methods (like urine or saliva), explaining the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive screen takes place through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The full laboratory routine from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation, compliant with ISO/IEC 17025.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests reveal drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Tracks drug patterns: It outlines drug use over a timeframe, rather than just recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to appear in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other drug-testing techniques.
• Result discrepancies: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite levels in hair samples.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle itself beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Chatwood, PA, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine testing. Superior detection accuracy and reliability are primary reasons for its preference. While urine tests are useful, hair testing provides a more comprehensive drug history, offering enhanced benefits for those seeking thorough substance screening.

Compared to urine testing, hair testing is less susceptible to tampering, increasing its trustworthiness in critical moments. Extended detection periods make it notably effective for reviewing long-term drug use. Employers appreciate the rigorous nature of hair tests, which often deliver more dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Chatwood, PA, provides an extended window for detecting drug use, tracking usage up to 90 days prior. This extended detection capability offers employers a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history, setting it apart from shorter-term methods.

The ability to evaluate a longer period enhances the understanding of an employee's or applicant's habits. This thorough insight aids employers in making better-informed decisions by examining a broader drug usage timeline, offering significant benefits over alternative testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Chatwood, PA, offer a high level of security against sample adulteration, providing reliable and unquestionable results. The tamper-resistant nature of hair testing makes it invaluable for ensuring the integrity of test samples.

This test reduces the risk of cheating, with its observed collection method enhancing its validity. Its design significantly minimizes opportunities for manipulation, making sure that the results are trustworthy and reflect true substance use accurately.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our expansive network of testing facilities, available nationwide and locally in Chatwood, PA, provides convenient access to hair follicle testing. The widespread availability ensures that testing is a hassle-free experience for individuals seeking our services.

Quick and straightforward, our centers are designed to meet your needs, making drug testing easy and accessible for everyone. With numerous locations, individuals can promptly and easily obtain the services they require without long wait times.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Chatwood, PA, the process at our testing centers is both simple and confidential, ensuring that your needs are met efficiently. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are all designed with user ease and privacy in mind, fostering a seamless experience.

Each step of the hair follicle testing process is clearly outlined to minimize confusion. Our commitment to a smooth, confidential operation means you can rest assured that your personal data is protected and handled with utmost care.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Chatwood, PA, we emphasize affordable pricing for our hair follicle testing while maintaining swift turnaround times. We provide excellent value for companies of all sizes, ensuring cost-effective access to thorough and accurate testing services.

Our competitive rates are coupled with fast processing, enhancing the value proposition for businesses. With hair follicle tests, you gain peace of mind, knowing that you are receiving superior services without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests in Chatwood, PA, make them a top choice for detecting substance use. Precision in these tests ensures that results are both swift and accurate, giving a true picture of an individual’s substance history. With a highly reliable ability to identify drug use, hair follicle tests stand out, offering fast feedback.

In addition to quick results, the accuracy of hair testing cannot be overstated. It significantly enhances the testing process, providing results that individuals and companies can depend on. By eliminating many uncertainties inherent in other testing methods, it instills confidence in test outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Chatwood, PA, implementing hair follicle testing provides peace of mind for employers, ensuring they comply with drug-free workplace policies. This method mitigates legal risks and aids in maintaining a safe work environment through its high standard of testing.

Using this comprehensive testing approach enhances workplace safety, with minimal risk of false results. Employers benefit from knowing that their drug testing procedures meet compliance standards, reassuring the entire workforce of its focus on safety and compliance.

Drug Testing Near Chatwood, PA

Glenloch, PA

Exton, PA

Chester Hill, PA

Pocopson, PA

Cheyney University, PA

Cheyney, PA

Morstein, PA

Goshenville, PA

Lenape, PA

Bradford Hills, PA

Milltown, PA

Westtown, PA

West Goshen, PA

Chester, PA

West Chester, 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