Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Midland, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a detailed history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use patterns for roughly 3 months. It's easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of about 200 hairs (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for both initial testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or beyond 10-panel tests, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, equivalent body hair may be used. References to head hair strictly mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

Key phases in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system, which encompasses verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing data not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial brief assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical means of excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-viable. Any samples that appear positive in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

When a sample shows as positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Preparation during the Extraction stage. In this phase, drugs are obtained from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), hence hair drug testing is the most intricate method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcomes is carried out using methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation whenever needed. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Shows drug usage trends: It can present a timeline of drug use, not just recent intake.

Challenges:

• Delay in detection: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be perceptible in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may impact the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Midland, PA
Hair follicle testing offers superior detection capabilities compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests may be suitable for recent drug use, hair follicle tests provide a much broader detection window, accurately identifying drug use patterns over the prior months.

For employers in Midland, this method enhances the reliability of substance screening. It helps maintain drug-free workplaces by offering a detailed view of an individual's drug use history, reducing the chance of overlooking long-term consumption that urine tests might miss.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Midland, PA
Hair follicle tests offer the advantage of a longer detection period, capturing drug use history up to 90 days prior. This extensive window aids employers looking for a comprehensive understanding of a potential hire or current employee's substance habits.

In the competitive landscape of Midland, PA, businesses demand thorough vetting processes. With hair testing, supervisors can rely on its extended reach to inform their decisions and maintain a safe work environment by identifying prolonged substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Midland, PA
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of result manipulation, making them a reliable testing method. Unlike urine tests, which can be easily tampered with, hair samples are less prone to adulteration.

With the integrity of results paramount, organizations in Midland can depend on hair testing. Its resistance to tampering ensures that the findings accurately reflect an individual's drug use, thus protecting the interests and safety standards of the workplace.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Midland, PA
Accredited Drug Testing facilitates access to drug screening with its widespread testing locations, including in Midland, PA. Our network stretches across the nation, ensuring that individuals and businesses can engage in the testing process effortlessly.

Having local and national testing sites guarantees timely and straightforward service regardless of your location. This reachable network allows for hassle-free access to reliable and prompt drug testing solutions around Midland and beyond.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Midland, PA
The process of conducting a hair follicle test is remarkably straightforward and maintains privacy at every step. From placing an order to sample collection and receiving results, confidentiality is paramount.

In Midland, the testing process is designed with simplicity in mind, ensuring that clients experience a swift and discreet service. All procedures adhere to stringent confidentiality standards, giving users peace of mind when handling sensitive information and test results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Midland, PA
Our competitive pricing models make hair follicle testing accessible to businesses of any size. Coupled with rapid processing times, it ensures value for money by promptly delivering accurate results.

The affordability and efficiency we offer help companies in Midland manage their testing expenses while benefiting from the reliable outcomes that hair testing provides. Quick and cost-effective testing supports timely decision-making and enhances operational peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Midland, PA
The speed and precision offered by hair follicle drug tests make them the preferred choice for substance use detection. Not only do they unveil an individual's substance use history with high accuracy, but these tests are also performed quickly, ensuring employers receive prompt results when it matters most.

Hair follicle drug tests in Midland offer a benchmark of reliability and speed unmatched by other testing methods. Laboratories nationwide streamline the testing process, providing results that employers and individuals can trust, making informed decisions with unparalleled confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Midland, PA
Using hair follicle testing assists in upholding workplace drug-free policies, offering peace of mind for employers. This test is a cornerstone for maintaining industry regulations and reducing legal risks associated with workplace safety.

Hair testing enhances employer confidence by ensuring their compliance practices support a secure working atmosphere. In cities like Midland, where safety is prioritized, adopting such reliable testing methods relieves businesses by lessening their liability burden.

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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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