Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Laurel Run, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a long-term overview of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month detection period for substances. The sample collection is straightforward, it's relatively resistant to tampering, and it's convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 strands of hair (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair covers all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning refers to the initial processing entry of a sample into a lab's system, verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a primary swift evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive outcome must confirm to be legally acceptable. Any samples with a preliminary positive result in Screening require secondary verification.

In cases where a sample shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, extra hair is drawn from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a usage pattern over time, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Laurel Run, PA

Comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests reveals its superior advantages. Hair tests offer an extended detection window and are much harder to tamper with, providing a more accurate and reliable assessment.

The lengthy detection period of hair follicle testing ensures that past substance use can be evaluated, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Laurel Run, PA

One of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to identify drug use over a significant duration - up to 90 days. This capability offers employers in Laurel Run a detailed insight into an individual's substance use history.

This extended detection window is invaluable for employers who seek a comprehensive view of an employee or potential hire's past behavior concerning substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Laurel Run, PA

Hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature, making sample adulteration highly improbable. This ensures the testing results in Laurel Run remain credible and beyond question.

With minimal chance for individuals to alter or manipulate the test sample, employers can trust the outcomes, ensuring authentic assessments of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Laurel Run, PA

Our extensive network of testing centers across the country ensures that individuals in Laurel Run can easily access testing services. This convenience facilitates quick and hassle-free drug testing for everyone.

Whether you're in a big city or a smaller community like Laurel Run, the availability of numerous testing sites makes the process as effortless and efficient as possible.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Laurel Run, PA

Ordering, undertaking, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is both simple and confidential in Laurel Run. The process respects privacy needs while ensuring ease of use for all involved.

Individuals can count on a streamlined experience, knowing that their personal information is safeguarded throughout the testing phases, from beginning to end.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Laurel Run, PA

Our competitive pricing structures coupled with rapid turnaround times highlight the value we provide. Businesses of all sizes in Laurel Run benefit from cost-effective testing without compromising quality.

The efficiency of our processes guarantees not only affordability but also prompt results, allowing employers to make informed decisions swiftly and confidently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Laurel Run, PA

Hair follicle drug testing is a swift, precise method of evaluating substance use in Laurel Run. These tests offer tremendous accuracy, quick results, and unparalleled reliability in identifying drug use over several weeks.

Thanks to its meticulous process, hair follicle testing ensures that results are both timely and trustworthy, providing peace of mind to those relying on these tests for critical decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Laurel Run, PA

Employers in Laurel Run can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing, minimizing legal liabilities. This method enhances employee safety and ensures a secure working environment.

The accuracy and reliability of these tests provide employers the confidence they need to maintain a safe and compliant workplace, reducing risks associated with employee drug use.

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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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