Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lanesboro, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, providing a comprehensive history of substance use by capturing biomarkers in the matrix of the hair strand as it grows. By collecting strands from near the scalp, hair offers the potential for detecting substances within an approximately 90-day frame. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and the samples are easy to transport.

An ideal sample for analysis and validation includes a 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) cut closest to the scalp, weighing about 100mg. For EtG additions and/or extensive tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, the equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Here, head hair specifically means scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning refers to the sample's initial induction into the lab’s database. This step verifies if the sample is securely sealed and properly dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any missing data entries not captured by an electronic custody system.

Screening conducts an initial assessment for potential abuse substances. Although Screening is economically efficient for eliminating drug use for the majority of samples, any positive screening must be confirmed to hold legal validity. Those samples suspected as positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples identified as presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this stage, the drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative methods like urine or oral fluid testing, which makes hair drug testing notably challenging.

Confirmation of any presumptive positives found in Screening is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Before confirmation, all predicted positive samples undergo washing as needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can unveil substance use for a duration of up to 90 days, outperforming the shorter detection periods of urine tests.
• Challenging to falsify: The resistance to tampering enhances the reliability of hair test results.
• Historical usage insight: It captures a timeline of drug consumption, extending beyond immediate usage patterns.

Limitations:

• Inadequacy for recent use detection: Drugs become identifiable in hair after an estimated 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug screening typically incurs higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair tone and individual differences in hair growth affect metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Commonly misunderstood as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Lanesboro, PA, offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair testing can identify substance use over a more extended period, up to 90 days. This leads to more accurate insights into an individual's drug use history.

Moreover, hair tests are not easily tampered with, reducing the likelihood of false negatives. This presents a more reliable detection method, providing employers and institutions with greater confidence in the results obtained from hair testing compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In contrast to other testing techniques, hair follicle testing in Lanesboro, PA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This unparalleled range provides employers with a detailed understanding of an individual's substance usage history over a more extended period.

Employing this method effectively highlights patterns that might remain hidden with shorter-term testing options. Consequently, it empowers organizations with insights necessary for making informed decisions regarding substance use policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Lanesboro, PA, are designed to minimize the risk of alteration or tampering, ensuring unwavering result accuracy. Unlike other methods susceptible to substitution or dilution, hair testing drastically reduces the chances of sample tampering.

By utilizing a rigid collection process and the unique nature of hair samples, this method provides incontestable results. As a result, employers can confidently rely on the findings to inform important decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience in Lanesboro, PA, with nationwide testing centers strategically located for easy access. This network ensures a hassle-free and streamlined approach to drug testing services.

Our local facilities offer rapid and straightforward service, allowing individuals and companies to access testing with minimal delay. Convenient locations maximize efficiency, helping meet time-sensitive requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our simple and confidential process in Lanesboro, PA, guarantees privacy and ease for all users. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step is designed with discretion in mind.

The streamlined procedure ensures a seamless experience, addressing any privacy concerns users might have while maintaining the highest standards of service and confidentiality throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lanesboro, PA, our service stands out with affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, providing exceptional value. Whether for small businesses or large corporations, our competitive pricing structures cater to varied needs.

Our swift result delivery guarantees timely feedback, allowing organizations to make informed decisions without unnecessary delays. This efficiency solidifies our role as a trusted testing service provider.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Recognized for their precision and speed, hair follicle drug tests in Lanesboro, PA, deliver results that are both efficient and reliable. Capable of detecting a wide range of substances, these tests offer remarkable accuracy, ensuring any drug use is quickly and accurately identified.

Substance detection using hair testing surpasses that of traditional methods, providing a more comprehensive view of use patterns. This method's reliability and swift results make it an excellent choice for organizations looking for trustworthy testing solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By leveraging hair follicle testing in Lanesboro, PA, employers can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This approach significantly minimizes legal liabilities and enhances the safety of work environments.

The comprehensive detection capabilities of hair tests empower organizations with invaluable information, contributing to peace of mind for employers and fostering safer work conditions for all employees.

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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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