Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gladden, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month detection span for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easily shipped.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For EtG, additional panels, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. Head hair refers strictly to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

Drug test result processing in the laboratory involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not supply.

Screening serves as a preliminary swift assessment for drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening need a secondary verification.

If during Screening a sample indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and set for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than alternative techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for as much as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which offer a briefer detection window.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Displays historical usage: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other methods.
• Results can vary: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis concerns the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Gladden, PA
In Gladden, the advantages of hair over urine testing include a broader detection window, enhanced accuracy, and difficulty to circumvent. Employers are increasingly adopting hair tests for their assured reliability, making them superior for long-term substance use detection compared to conventional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Gladden, PA
Hair follicle testing provides a significantly longer look-back period of up to 90 days, enabling employers to gain an in-depth understanding of drug history. In Gladden, this extended detection window is a pivotal factor for businesses seeking a thorough assessment of candidates or employees, setting hair tests apart from other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Gladden, PA
One of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing is its resilience against tampering. In Gladden, these tests are virtually impervious to adulteration, guaranteeing results that are both reliable and indisputable. This quality ensures authenticity and accuracy, making them the choice method for substance testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Gladden, PA
The convenience of nationwide and local testing centers, including those in Gladden, makes access to hair follicle tests swift and uncomplicated. Our widespread presence ensures that testing services are always accessible, removing the hassle and delays typically associated with other testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Gladden, PA
The hair follicle testing procedure in Gladden is straightforward and maintains confidentiality at every step. From ordering the test to receiving the results, the process prioritizes simplicity and privacy, catering to both corporate clients and individuals while addressing their privacy concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gladden, PA
Our hair follicle testing services in Gladden are competitively priced to offer great value, complemented by swift result turnaround. Companies of all sizes benefit from our cost-effective solutions that maintain the highest standards of quality and efficiency, providing peace of mind with every test conducted.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Gladden, PA
The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Gladden are unrivaled, offering quick results with high accuracy in identifying substance use. This superior testing method ensures dependable and prompt feedback for personal or professional needs, providing peace of mind with every screening conducted.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Gladden, PA
Hair follicle testing helps employers in Gladden to adhere to drug-free policies effectively, minimizing legal liabilities and fostering a safer workplace environment. By implementing this testing method, businesses can assure compliance, gain peace of mind, and promote a culture of safety within the workplace.

Drug Testing Near Gladden, PA

Oakdale, PA

Presto, PA

Noblestown, PA

Bridgeville, PA

McDonald, PA

Muse, PA

Sturgeon, PA

Sturgeon-Noblestown, PA

Federal, PA

Hendersonville, PA

Cecil, PA

Cowden, PA

Cecil-Bishop, PA

Treveskyn, PA

Bishop, 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