Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Marion Heights, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer a comprehensive history of alcohol and various drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strand's fibers. Once collected near the scalp, hair testing can reveal drug and alcohol use over a roughly 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches encompassing about 200 hair strands (roughly akin to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For tests including EtG, additional components, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is suggested. It is advised to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent weight of body hair may be obtained. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Meanwhile, body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory procedure encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a specimen within the lab's system. This step includes confirming that the specimen was properly sealed and delivered, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any extra data not specified by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary, economical assessment for drugs of misuse. Although Screening is an affordable strategy to exclude drug usage for most samples, any positive findings necessitate confirmation to hold legal weight. Samples that show indications of positivity in Screening require further verification.

If a sample shows presumed positivity during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is used for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluids), explaining why hair drug screening is deemed the most challenging method to execute.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptively positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests which provide a briefer detection period.
• Challenge to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Supplies historical data: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, not only recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to identify recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests normally incur greater costs than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual disparities in hair growth might affect the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets 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 Marion Heights, PA
The advantages of hair testing are evident when compared to standard urine tests. Hair analysis boasts superior detection capabilities, accurately identifying substances over a longer period. Additionally, it offers reliability that standard urine tests can't match, establishing it as a more effective alternative in many contexts.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Marion Heights, PA
Hair follicle testing stands out due to its capability to detect drug usage over a prolonged period—up to 90 days. This provides employers with a detailed insight into an individual's substance use history. Such an extensive detection window aids in making informed decisions about applicants or employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Marion Heights, PA
The inherent design of hair follicle testing significantly reduces the chance of sample tampering. This method ensures that results are both reliable and unquestionable, reinforcing trust in its findings. The tamper-resistant nature of the test is a strong deterrent against potential adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Marion Heights, PA
The convenience of our widespread testing centers cannot be overstated. With locations nationwide, access to testing services is both quick and hassle-free, offering a seamless experience for all involved. This ensures that testing needs are met efficiently and conveniently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Marion Heights, PA
The process for ordering, testing, and receiving results is straightforward and discreet. Addressing privacy concerns, this method is designed to be both user-friendly and confidential, ensuring ease of use. Such an approach guarantees that individual concerns are prioritized and addressed effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Marion Heights, PA
Competitive pricing structures paired with rapid result processing offer exceptional value. Companies of all sizes can benefit from these affordable services, ensuring peace of mind through cost-effective and fast solutions. This approach highlights the economic advantages available.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Marion Heights, PA
Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and swiftness. These tests excel at detecting substances, ensuring high accuracy. The reliability of results instills confidence in their findings, making them invaluable in various settings. This accuracy proves vital in situations demanding quick and trustworthy results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Marion Heights, PA
Implementing hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety. By choosing this method, employers can maintain a healthy and secure working environment, ensuring peace of mind.

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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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