Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Deer Lake, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. It offers a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as they develop. Collecting strands near the scalp allows for a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to alter, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, provides 100mg, which is the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG extensions, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only, while body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Step-by-Step Process

The core four stages in processing a laboratory drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system didn’t provide.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is an economical means to discount drug use in most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair in lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is notoriously challenging.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques perform the Confirmation of any positive screen result. Before Confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify substance use for up to 90 days, compared to shorter detection spans of urine testing.
• Improbability of cheating: Cheating on a hair drug test is quite difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair within approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Prevails in Deer Lake, PA lies in its superior detection capabilities compared to urine tests. Hair tests not only provide a broader detection timeline but also deliver results that are difficult to dispute. The enhanced accuracy and comprehensive detection provided by hair follicle testing make it a preferred choice for various stakeholders, exceeding the traditional urine testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Period available with hair follicle testing in Deer Lake, PA offers unparalleled insights into an individual's drug usage history. Unlike other methods, this test examines drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers a thorough overview of an employee's or candidate's past substance use, which is vital for maintaining workforce integrity and reliability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Resistant to Tampering, hair follicle drug tests in Deer Lake, PA pose a formidable challenge to adulteration attempts. Unlike other test methods, hair samples are difficult to alter, ensuring the processed results are credible and untainted. This reliability empowers stakeholders to trust the outcomes without question, supporting informed decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Access across Deer Lake, PA is available through our widespread networks. Accredited Drug Testing's national presence ensures easy and hassle-free access to testing services. No matter where you are in the country, our testing centers are ready to serve, offering unparalleled convenience to our clients seeking timely assessments.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Confidential Process in Deer Lake, PA guarantees seamless ordering, testing, and result retrieval. The confidential nature of our procedures respects individual privacy while simplifying the experience for users. Effortlessly initiate a test, and trust our secure system to handle everything from start to finish with discretion and integrity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Quick Results in Deer Lake, PA ensure that businesses of any size can benefit from our hair follicle drug tests. Our pricing models are designed to deliver exceptional value, paired with rapid turnaround times, thereby supporting companies in making cost-effective, informed decisions with complete peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Precise Results in Deer Lake, PA are a hallmark of our hair follicle drug tests. With the ability to detect a wide spectrum of substances, these tests ensure high accuracy and speed, allowing employers quick access to essential information about substance use. The precision offered by this method means that the results are both dependable and swift, giving businesses the data they need without delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Confidence in Deer Lake, PA, hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, offering employers peace of mind. By adopting this method, companies minimize legal risks and foster a culture of safety and productivity. It not only upholds compliance but also fortifies the employer's stance on substance use, enhancing overall workplace safety.

Drug Testing Near Deer Lake, PA

Cumbola, PA

New Philadelphia, PA

Cressona, PA

Lake Wynonah, PA

Edenburg, PA

West Hamburg, PA

Schuylkill Haven, PA

New Ringgold, PA

Renningers, PA

McKeansburg, PA

Landingville, PA

Port Clinton, PA

Orwigsburg, 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