Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Longfellow, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended-term record of drug and alcohol usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to three months. Hair is easy to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) taken near the scalp will yield 100mg, an optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests beyond 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to determine the weight of the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be utilized. Reference to head hair pertains exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory procedure of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory's system. This involves verifying that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any extra data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must undergo confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that appear positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive in the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternate methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to tamper with: It's exceedingly difficult to falsify results of a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical data provision: Allows for tracking drug use patterns over time, beyond merely recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally have higher costs compared to other testing methodologies.
• Variability in results: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence concentration levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Longfellow, PA. Hair follicle tests offer an extended detection period compared to urine tests, identifying drug use up to 90 days. This makes them ideal for employers seeking long-term substance use data. The accuracy of hair testing outperforms traditional urine tests, ensuring more reliable outcomes.

In contrast to urine tests, hair tests are not only harder to tamper with but also give a broader view of an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Longfellow, PA. Hair follicle testing provides up to a 90-day window to identify drug use, offering a comprehensive look at an individual's history. This extended range enables employers to make informed decisions on substance use over time.

Compared to other methods, the prolonged detection period presents a thorough profile of usage, essential for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Longfellow, PA. Hair follicle tests are nearly impossible to alter, significantly reducing the likelihood of sample tampering. This reliability ensures authentic results, providing clear evidence of substance use.

The robust nature of hair testing methods guarantees an indisputable outcome, crucial for judicial and employment-related screenings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Longfellow, PA. Our extensive network of testing centers ensures easy access for all your drug testing needs. Whether local or nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient and prompt services.

Enjoy hassle-free scheduling with accessible facilities across diverse locations, ensuring swift completion of testing requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Longfellow, PA. Experience a straightforward and private procedure from ordering to result delivery, guaranteeing ease and security. Our confidential approach reassures test-takers of privacy and respect.

Simplified steps and secure data protection highlight our commitment to client confidentiality and seamless service execution.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Longfellow, PA. Our competitive pricing ensures cost-effective testing options for businesses of all sizes. Quick turnaround times provide dependable results promptly, maximizing value.

Accredited Drug Testing combines affordability with efficiency, making it the ideal choice for swift and budget-friendly drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Longfellow, PA. Experience unparalleled precision with hair follicle drug testing. Unlike other methods, hair tests offer quick and dependable results. Detecting substance use with high accuracy, hair tests bring peace of mind to both employers and individuals.

With a streamlined process, hair testing provides timely results without compromising accuracy. This method ensures exact identification of substances for effective decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Longfellow, PA. Utilizing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, diminishing legal challenges and promoting safety. This method reassures employers of compliance, providing a secure working environment.

With enhanced accuracy and deterrent factors, hair testing is an essential tool for employers committed to a drug-free, safe workspace.

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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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