Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maysville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term indicator of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands. When hair is collected near the scalp, it offers a detection window for alcohol and other drugs lasting up to about 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We encourage weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair only, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's database. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial swift examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-effective measure to exclude drug use for the bulk of samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples testing presumptively positive during Screening will necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample returns a presumptively positive outcome during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to alternate methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug screening as a methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation as per ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug testing can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Reveals historical usage: It illustrates a pattern of drug consumption over time, not simply recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Maysville, PA, hair follicle testing clearly surpasses urine testing in several aspects. Its superior detection capability extends up to 90 days, as opposed to the limited window of urine tests. Hair testing offers unparalleled accuracy, eliminating doubts regarding recent substance use. Moreover, its resistance to tampering ensures the reliability of results.
Superior Accuracy and Reliability are attributes of hair follicle testing. As a consequence, it stands out as the optimal choice when compared to conventional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In Maysville, PA, the hair follicle test serves as a powerful tool for detecting long-term drug use, with a window that stretches up to 90 days. This comprehensive detection capability provides employers with an extensive view of an individual's substance use history. Such invaluable insight aids employers in making informed decisions regarding applicants or employees.
Extended Detection Window is a crucial advantage of hair testing, ensuring thorough scrutiny of drug use over extensive periods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests makes it a preferred choice in Maysville, PA. The method significantly decreases the likelihood of sample adulteration, furnishing reliable and unquestionable results. These tests provide a robust defense against cheating, ensuring the integrity of the process and outcomes.
Reduced Risk of Adulteration is a prominent feature of hair testing, safeguarding against manipulation and maintaining the authenticity of findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing centers, including those in Maysville, PA, guarantee quick and convenient access to hair follicle drug testing. The presence of local facilities across the country ensures that individuals and employers can easily avail of our services, making the process seamless and hassle-free.
Convenience Nationwide is a key advantage of our testing centers, offering accessibility and ease of use wherever you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Maysville, PA, our process for ordering hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From scheduling the test to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease of use. Clients can rest assured knowing that their confidentiality is protected throughout the process.
Simplicity and Confidentiality are hallmarks of our service, ensuring that every client experiences a straightforward and secure testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in Maysville, PA, combine competitive pricing with fast turnaround times, offering unmatched value for companies of all sizes. The affordability of our tests, paired with reliable results, provides peace of mind and ensures that employers receive exceptional service without breaking their budget.
Cost-effective and Efficient solutions define our approach, catering to the needs of diverse businesses while maintaining top-quality standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Maysville, PA, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with speed and accuracy. This method provides high precision in detecting substance use, setting it apart from traditional testing methods. The promptness with which results can be obtained adds another layer of reliability, making it a preferred choice for those seeking fast and trustworthy outcomes.
Precision and Speed characterize hair follicle testing. The technique not only yields swift results but also guarantees accuracy, allowing employers and professionals to rely confidently on the data gathered.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Maysville, PA, hair follicle testing offers employers compliance with drug-free workplace policies, ensuring peace of mind. This testing method enhances workplace safety, reducing legal liabilities and promoting a secure environment for everyone involved. The reliability of hair testing supports employers in upholding critical workplace standards.
Compliance and Safety are assured through the use of hair follicle drug tests, providing employers with the confidence and security they need.

Drug Testing Near Maysville, PA

Oklahoma, PA

Vandergrift, PA

North Vandergrift, PA

East Vandergrift, PA

Girty, PA

North Apollo, PA

Apollo, PA

Paulton, PA

Bell Point, PA

Saltsburg, PA

Truxall, PA

Orchard Hills, PA

Spring Church, PA

Iselin, PA

Avonmore, PA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews