Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Freeburg, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a long-term chronology of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When near the scalp, hair provides about a 3-month detection window for alcohol and substances. Collecting it is straightforward, altering it is relatively challenging, and it ships easily.

A 1.5-inch hair sample of approximately 200 strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or analyses beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be gathered. When referencing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for generating a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a quick preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, though a positive result necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are tentatively positive require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be tentatively positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at reduced concentration levels compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a complex method to execute.

Confirmation of positive screen results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory process is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection duration: Hair drug tests span up to 90 days of detection, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Cheat-proof: It is extremely arduous to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Provides historical insights: It offers a timeline of drug usage, not solely current consumption.

Limitations:

• Not for recent use: Drugs require around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than alternative drug testing strategies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis investigates the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Freeburg, PA

Choosing hair testing offers superior advantages over traditional urine tests. With a longer detection window and inherent resistance to tampering, hair tests provide greater accuracy and reliability. In Freeburg, this comprehensive method assists various sectors, from employers to legal systems, in making informed decisions about substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Freeburg, PA

One of the primary benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period. Unlike urine tests, which provide a short-term view, hair testing offers insights into an individual's substance history for up to 90 days. This is particularly beneficial for employers looking to maintain a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Freeburg, PA

Hair follicle testing is highly resistant to tampering, ensuring the integrity of results. Unlike urine tests, which can be adulterated, hair samples are stable and less susceptible to manipulation. This reliability boosts confidence in the findings, making it the preferred choice for many in Freeburg.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Freeburg, PA

Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network ensures easy access to testing facilities throughout the nation, including locations in Freeburg. Our widespread presence guarantees that you receive the testing you need promptly and efficiently, without the hassle of extensive travel or scheduling delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Freeburg, PA

The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and private, ensuring client comfort. From test ordering to result delivery, confidentiality is maintained. Families, employers, and individuals in Freeburg appreciate the ease and discretion of the testing experience, alleviating privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Freeburg, PA

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnarounds. Our cost-effective solutions ensure that companies of all sizes can access reliable and rapid drug testing services. In Freeburg, clients benefit from excellent value and expedited results, making hair testing both accessible and efficient.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Freeburg, PA

Hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their unmatched precision and rapid output. Unlike traditional methods, these tests swiftly and reliably identify substance presence. In Freeburg, employers and individuals trust hair testing for its proven record of swift and accurate outcomes, ensuring confidence in its results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Freeburg, PA

Employers in Freeburg can benefit greatly from utilizing hair follicle testing. This method supports compliance with strict workplace drug policies, reducing legal liabilities while enhancing safety. The accuracy and reliability of hair testing provide peace of mind, knowing that company standards are upheld effectively.

Drug Testing Near Freeburg, PA

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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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