Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hickory Hills, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and it is easily shippable.

A 1.5-inch sample of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial processing phase where a sample is entered into the lab’s system. This entails confirming the sample’s seal and proper shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drug use. Although it economically rules out drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be considered legally valid. Any samples showing presumptive positivity must undergo a secondary validation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo a washing prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have shorter detection windows.
• High integrity: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Offers usage patterns: It can reveal drug use patterns over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Even though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Advantages of Hair Follicle Over Urine Testing in Hickory Hills, PA are clear. Hair testing offers enhanced detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. Its capacity to identify drug use over an extended time frame far surpasses urine tests, allowing for a better assessment of an individual's history with substances.

Furthermore, hair testing in Hickory Hills ensures a more foolproof method for evaluating drug use, providing results that are difficult to dispute, thereby increasing confidence for employers and other stakeholders in the validity of the test outcomes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a prominent feature of hair follicle testing in Hickory Hills, PA. Unlike other methods, it can trace drug use up to 90 days into the past, offering a comprehensive view of an individual's substance interaction history, which is invaluable for employers making informed hiring or retention decisions.

For employers concerned about the long-term habits of their employees, hair tests provide a thorough insight, extending their ability to monitor substance abuse beyond what traditional methods allow, thus ensuring a safer workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reliable and Tamper-Resistant hair follicle testing in Hickory Hills, PA significantly reduces the likelihood of sample tampering. The method's inherent design minimizes the chance of adulteration, offering assured results and peace of mind to those relying on the accuracy of these tests.

In Hickory Hills, hair tests deliver incontrovertible results by circumventing common tampering techniques found in other testing methods. With these safeguards, stakeholders can trust the integrity of the results, leading to better-informed and confident decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide and Local Convenience in Hickory Hills, PA ensures easy access to testing services. With widespread testing locations, individuals can benefit from swift and hassle-free processes across numerous centers, enabling seamless testing experiences.

Our facilities in Hickory Hills provide unparalleled convenience, allowing individuals and companies to engage in testing effortlessly, reducing logistical challenges and ensuring test completion with minimal delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Confidential Approach in hair follicle testing in Hickory Hills, PA emphasizes simplicity and privacy. The process of ordering, undertaking, and obtaining results is straightforward, designed to respect individual confidentiality while providing accurate, reliable outcomes.

For those in Hickory Hills concerned about privacy, this approach safeguards personal data, assuring participants that their information is handled with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective and Rapid Results with hair follicle testing in Hickory Hills, PA highlight competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. Clients receive outstanding value, allowing companies to support their drug testing needs without undue financial burden.

In Hickory Hills, our commitment to affordability ensures that businesses, regardless of size, have access to premium testing services, enhancing overall satisfaction and delivering timely and accurate results efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speed and Accuracy in Hair Follicle Testing in Hickory Hills, PA offer superior precision and swift results, making them a reliable choice for detecting substance use. Hair follicle tests provide accurate readings that ensure consistency and trust in diagnosing drug consumption.

In Hickory Hills, the effectiveness of hair follicle tests is underscored by their ability to process samples rapidly, delivering timely results. This efficiency provides both individuals and employers with quick answers, facilitating faster decision-making and problem resolution.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Employer Peace of Mind are enhanced through hair follicle testing in Hickory Hills, PA. This method not only ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies but also reduces the legal risks associated with non-compliance, promoting a sound environment for both employers and employees.

By utilizing hair tests, companies in Hickory Hills can maintain stringent safety standards, safeguarding their workforce and protecting their organizational integrity, ultimately fostering a more secure and productive workplace.

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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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