Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lorane, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis stands as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates an extended history of substances by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When sampled near the scalp, it offers a detection window stretching close to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, tamper-resistant, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, add-ons, or more than 10-panel tests, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When referring to head hair, our focus is solely on scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug testing involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is entered into the laboratory's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for presence of substances. While Screening is an affordable means to exclude drug use in most cases, any positive findings must be validated for legal use. Samples that are passively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial collection for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are drawn out from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most intricate methodology.

Verification of any positive screening is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. This entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair credentials and conforms with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair test is considerably challenging, thus providing more reliable results.
• Historical insights: It offers a record of substance usage over a duration, not just recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect immediate use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests are usually pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates may impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Important note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests have a clear edge over traditional urine tests in Lorane, PA, primarily due to their superior detection capabilities. Accurate and reliable, they ensure thorough substance use identification.

While urine tests focus on recent usage, hair tests provide a more comprehensive overview. This makes them indispensable for employers wanting a deep dive into an individual's drug history.

Reliable detection combined with a longer history review makes hair testing the top choice for employers over urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

One major advantage of hair follicle testing in Lorane, PA is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, it tracks substance use up to 90 days back.

For employers, this means gaining a comprehensive view of potential applicants or employees' substance history, ensuring informed decision-making.

With its unparalleled long-term insight, hair testing allows for a detailed analysis of an individual's drug use over months.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Lorane, PA offer a robust tamper-resistant method against sample adulteration. This ensures the results' authenticity and accuracy.

The reduced risk of falsification makes these tests reliable, providing clients with dependable outcomes.
By utilizing hair testing, clients decrease the chances of sample alteration, ensuring a high level of confidence in their test results.

Choosing hair testing significantly lowers the risk of sample tampering, offering peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide presence, including locations in Lorane, PA, offers unparalleled convenience, ensuring easy access to testing services.

The numerous centers guarantee quick and hassle-free experiences, making them accessible for both local residents and nationwide clients alike.

With testing facilities spread across the country, including right here in Lorane, getting tested is more convenient than ever.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair tests in Lorane, PA is a simple and confidential process. This approach addresses concerns about privacy and ease.

The process, designed with users in mind, combines efficiency with confidentiality, ensuring users' peace of mind.

By maintaining a straightforward yet confidential approach, our services prioritize user satisfaction and privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround times for hair tests in Lorane, PA, catering to businesses of all sizes.

Our cost-effective solutions provide excellent value without compromising on quality or speed.
With our competitive pricing and swift results, businesses benefit from exceptional service at a reasonable cost.

Companies experience peace of mind knowing they receive best-in-class services at accessible prices.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lorane, PA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapid and accurate results. These tests are renowned for their ability to precisely identify substance use with unparalleled speed.

The high accuracy of hair tests ensures that substance use is detected reliably, offering a dependable solution for those seeking certainty in testing outcomes.

With a reputation for delivering precise results quickly, hair follicle testing is the preferred choice for both employers and individuals in Lorane.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Lorane, PA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, enhancing safety standards.

This method aids in reducing legal risks by upholding policies, providing an assurance of a secure work environment.
With hair testing, companies can foster a secure atmosphere while maintaining compliance and safeguarding their interests.

By remaining compliant with workplace policies, employers experience greater peace of mind daily.

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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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