Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Markle, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a valuable instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal usage of alcohol and other drugs for as long as approximately three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising around 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels beyond 10, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean solely scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step where a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s database. This part includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplementary data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although it offers a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation to be legally defensible. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need a secondary verification.

In cases where the Screening phase renders a sample presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is notably challenging.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples assumed to be positive are cleansed ahead of confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a lesser detection period.
• Harder to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thereby making the findings more reliable.
• Yields historical insight: It can provide an account of drug use over a span of time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically come at a higher cost than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis itself examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing mainly through its extended detection timeline, which provides a more thorough account of an individual's substance use. In Markle, PA, the superior reliability and accuracy of hair testing mean that it captures a broader picture of an individual's drug consumption, making it invaluable for contexts where detailed drug history is crucial.

Extended Detection Window

With the ability to trace drug use up to 90 days, hair follicle tests offer a detailed snapshot of an individual’s drug history in Markle, PA. Employers gain valuable insight into the long-term substance habits of their employees or applicants. This extended window helps in ensuring that hiring decisions are based on a fuller understanding of an individual's substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

A crucial advantage of hair follicle testing in Markle, PA, is its resistance to tampering. The testing method significantly reduces the likelihood of adulteration, providing results that stakeholders can trust. This flawlessness in conducting tests builds confidence among employers and authorities relying on drug screening data for their decision-making processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenience through nationwide testing centers, including those in Markle, PA, Accredited Drug Testing ensures an effortless access to testing services. Appointments can be scheduled swiftly without hassle, making drug testing a streamlined experience for both individuals and organizations across numerous local and nationwide facilities.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Markle, PA, the hair follicle testing process is not only simple but also confidential. From placing an order to receiving the results, each step is designed to prioritize privacy and convenience, reassuring individuals concerned about personal data security and the overall ease of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Markle, PA. These factors contribute to exceptional value, ensuring that businesses of varying sizes can access reliable drug testing services without straining their budgets, while also benefiting from prompt, high-quality results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers both speed and precision, making it an ideal choice in Markle, PA. Its capability to provide accurate substance use results ensures trustworthy data for individuals and organizations. The rapid detection process means that results are delivered swiftly, without compromising on reliability, ensuring that decision makers have the information they need at their fingertips.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in workplaces across Markle, PA, assists in ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal liabilities and promoting a safer working environment, employers can focus on productivity knowing they are upholding high standards of workplace conduct.

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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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