Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Glade Mills, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust approach to detecting substance use. By embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair during growth, hair offers a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug consumption. When obtained near the scalp, hair has the capability to provide insights into substance use over a span of approximately three months. It is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is considered optimal for both initial screening and follow-up testing. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or exceeding ten drugs, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested to weigh the sample accurately. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an acceptable substitute. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The drug test processing workflow includes four major phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the earliest stage of integrating a sample into a lab’s workflow. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and correctly shipped, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data inputs absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

During Screening, a cursory drug check is performed. This preliminary screen is an affordable measure to exclude drug presence in most cases; however, judicial requirements dictate confirmatory testing for any positive findings. Consequently, all samples yielding positive preliminary results need to undergo further confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those detected in urine or oral fluid, underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of preliminary positives is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Samples flagged as presumptive positives undergo washing before the final confirmation. All processes from Accessioning through Confirmation are reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and accredited against ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Perks of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing identifies drug intake up to a 90-day period, unlike urine tests with shorter detection times.
• Resistant to tampering: It is nearly impossible to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Displays usage patterns: Hair tests outline a timeline of drug use, as opposed to indicating only recent consumption.

Challenges:

• Fails to detect recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair samples.
• Higher costs: Typically, hair drug testing incurs greater expenses compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair pigmentation and individual hair growth rates may influence the levels of drug metabolites observed in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often used, though the analysis truly involves the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Glade Mills, PA

When it comes to comparing hair follicle testing with traditional urine testing methods, hair testing offers distinct advantages. Not only does it provide a broader detection window, but its reliability is unmatched, making attempts at evasion almost futile. For those enforcing rigorous drug policies, hair follicle tests offer the best solution, ensuring accurate detection and making them favorable over urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Glade Mills, PA

Hair follicle testing offers the unique advantage of an extended detection window, tracing drug use up to 90 days back. This lengthened detection period gives employers a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's substance history, providing essential insights into their long-term habits. This powerful tool enables better-informed decisions where drug history is a concern, unlike shorter-term urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Glade Mills, PA

One of the key benefits of hair follicle tests is their resistance to tampering. The collection and testing protocols significantly minimize the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring that results remain reliable and beyond doubt. For positions where integrity is paramount, hair testing is the best method to provide trustworthy and tamper-proof results, setting the standard for reliability in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Glade Mills, PA

The accessibility of our nationwide testing facilities offers a convenient solution for all. With the presence of local centers in Glade Mills, PA, individuals and businesses alike can enjoy quick and effortless access to our services. Our broad network ensures that regardless of your location, you're never far from our sophisticated testing capabilities, facilitating hassle-free scheduling and testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Glade Mills, PA

The entire process—from ordering to receiving results—is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Paying close attention to privacy, our protocol respects your concern while ensuring ease of use. Comprehensive data management systems ensure your personal information is handled discreetly, delivering efficient results without compromising confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Glade Mills, PA

We combine competitive pricing with rapid turnaround times to deliver excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our services not only present cost-efficient solutions but also ensure swift availability of results, critical for timely decision-making. This sensible pricing structure alongside speedy service offers peace of mind, keeping businesses focused and proactive in their operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Glade Mills, PA

The precision and quickness of hair follicle drug tests make them the go-to option for detecting substance use effectively. With sophisticated methods in place, these tests provide highly accurate results, surpassing traditional drug testing means in terms of speed and dependability. For anyone seeking immediate and trustworthy data on drug use, hair testing stands out as a superior choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Glade Mills, PA

For employers striving to maintain a drug-free workplace policy, hair follicle testing offers not only compliance but peace of mind. By reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, employers can be assured that their efforts to maintain a safe and compliant work environment are supported. This cutting-edge testing method aids in upholding rigorous standards and protecting corporate structures from potential drug-related issues.

Drug Testing Near Glade Mills, PA

Seven Fields, PA

Oak Hills, PA

Gibsonia, PA

Curtisville, PA

Bairdford, PA

Culmerville, PA

Saxonburg, PA

Watters, PA

Callery, PA

Bakerstown Station, PA

Myoma, PA

Bakerstown, PA

Valencia, PA

Mars, PA

Nixon, 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