Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lilly, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluations have emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of substance use, by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it can reveal a detection period for alcohol and drugs that extends to roughly 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's circumference) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for screening and further analysis. For EtG, additional drugs, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest verifying specimen weight using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. When referencing head hair, we imply only scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the sample's initial processing into a lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample remains sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid drug check. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to hold up in court. Samples that presumptively yield positive results during Screening indeed require subsequent confirmation.

When Screening indicates a presumptive positive result, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are taken from hair at a far lower concentration than found in other analyses (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug testing is notably the most challenging methodology.

Any positive screening outcome is verified by employing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug assessments can recognize drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty in cheating: Cheating a hair drug test proves to be very challenging, thus ensuring the results' accuracy.
• Historical pattern: It can portray a pattern of drug consumption spanning a timeline, instead of just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: A duration of approximately 5-7 days is necessary for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost implications: Hair drug tests generally incur higher expenses than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lilly, PA, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are clear. Hair testing offers longer detection windows and is a more reliable indicator of past substance use, making it a superior choice for accurate results.

With hair testing, employers in Lilly benefit from enhanced detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests, ensuring workplace safety and compliance.

Extended Detection Window

In Lilly, PA, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection period of drug use spanning up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain comprehensive insights into an individual’s history of substance use.

The longer detection window offered by hair testing empowers Lilly employers to make informed decisions regarding an applicant's or employee’s drug use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Lilly, PA, significantly reduces the risk of tampering, offering employers greater confidence in the results. This method is known for providing reliable outcomes due to its resistance to adulteration.

By utilizing hair follicle tests in Lilly, the possibility of sample manipulation is minimized, ensuring the integrity of the drug testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers the convenience of numerous nationwide and local testing centers in Lilly, PA. This network ensures easy access to testing services without hassle.

Residents and businesses in Lilly can benefit from the seamless availability of testing locations, facilitating quick and efficient drug screenings.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Lilly, PA, is simple and confidential. From ordering to results, every step is designed to uphold privacy while ensuring ease and effectiveness.

Lilly residents can rely on a straightforward and discreet testing process, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality and usability.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lilly, PA, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing and rapid results, making this a cost-effective choice for businesses of all sizes seeking efficient drug testing solutions.

The quick turnaround times and affordable pricing structure provide value and reassurance to Lilly companies needing reliable drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Lilly, PA, is unmatched, with quick and reliable detection of substances. This test method ensures high accuracy, providing detailed insights into an individual's drug use history.

Employers and individuals in Lilly can trust hair follicle testing for its swift results and dependable accuracy, streamlining the drug screening process effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lilly, PA, gain peace of mind and ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. This approach reduces legal risks and bolsters a safe working environment.

Using hair follicle testing supports Lilly organizations in maintaining compliance and upholding rigorous workplace safety standards.

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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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