Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Little Britain, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a comprehensive history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. When discussing head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a rapid preliminary examination for drug abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that show a presumptively positive result in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection window.
• Resistance to cheating: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, thus ensuring more reliable results.
• Provides historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Outcome variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the assessment is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Little Britain, PA, hair follicle testing stands out over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and long-term reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing can identify drug use over a long period, providing a more comprehensive picture of a person's substance history.

When comparing hair and urine testing, hair tests offer an unparalleled level of precision. While urine tests provide instant readings, hair tests expand the detection window, ensuring any substance use is tracked with greater accuracy, proving especially useful for employers with strict drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Little Britain, PA, offers an extended detection window that can uncover drug use up to 90 days prior. This capability gives employers deeper insights into an individual's substance history, ensuring that they are making informed decisions based on longer-term data.

The extended detection period of hair follicle tests is pivotal for comprehensive evaluations. By assessing drug use history over several months, hair testing empowers employers with meaningful data that can be critical when assessing potential hires or monitoring employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The resilience of hair follicle testing against tampering is an essential feature in Little Britain, PA. Unlike some testing methods, hair samples are hardy and less likely to be adulterated, providing results that are trustworthy and nearly impossible to dispute.

Through intricate processing and inherent sampling characteristics, hair follicle tests effectively mitigate tampering risks. This robust approach ensures the integrity of drug testing outcomes, reinforcing confidence in the testing process for employers and individuals alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in Little Britain, PA, with our nationwide network of testing locations. Individuals and employers can easily access hair follicle drug testing at a center nearby, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

The availability of numerous testing sites across the country ensures that no matter where one resides or operates, quick and easy access to hair testing services is assured, adding a layer of convenience to the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Navigating the hair testing process in Little Britain, PA, is straightforward and private. From ordering tests to receiving results, the steps are designed to uphold confidentiality, alleviating privacy concerns while simplifying the overall procedure.

Our streamlined testing protocol ensures that the entire process remains as uncomplicated as possible. By safeguarding user data confidentiality alongside straightforward steps, the testing experience is user-friendly and reassuring for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing is committed to affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times in Little Britain, PA. Our competitive pricing models ensure that companies of all sizes can advantageously utilize hair follicle testing without undue financial strain.

The combination of low costs and quick result delivery offers significant value. Businesses can enjoy efficient testing processes without compromising on budget, thereby fostering workplace safety and compliance without delays.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and reliability of hair follicle testing make it a preferred choice in Little Britain, PA. Hair testing offers high accuracy levels, providing precise substance use detection. The testing process is streamlined and swift, ensuring results are delivered promptly, meeting the needs of both employers and individuals seeking quick outcomes.

With hair follicle tests, rapid and accurate analysis is a hallmark. The tests are designed to identify substance use efficiently, enhancing the ability to make informed decisions quickly. This promptness in results delivery helps maintain workflow and reduces downtime associated with waiting for test outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Little Britain, PA, benefit from the compliance and assurance hair follicle testing offers. By ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, businesses can enhance safety and reduce legal quandaries while maintaining smooth operational standards.

Opting for hair follicle testing not only demonstrates a commitment to a drug-free environment but also hands employers the peace of mind they need. Such tests reaffirm company policies, thus supporting a safer, more compliant workforce.

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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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