Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Morris, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can present up to roughly a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sampling of about 200 strands (roughly the dimensions of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it pertains to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps within the laboratory procedure of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This encompasses verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening involves a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be permissible in legal contexts. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive outcome in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The full laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It is exceedingly challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more accurate results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Morris, PA lies in its superior detection capabilities. Hair testing offers a longer detection window compared to traditional urine tests, enhancing accuracy.

The precision of hair testing surpasses that of urine, offering a superior detection period for drugs, making it the preferred method in Morris, PA.

Employers and professionals lean towards hair testing for its unmatched reliability and detection accuracy over urine tests, providing greater confidence in results within Morris, PA.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window with our hair follicle testing in Morris, PA provides a detailed overview of substance use, detecting drug use for up to 90 days.

Utilizing this method offers employers in Morris, PA a comprehensive insight into an individual’s history of substance use, far exceeding the typical limits of other testing methods.

A longer detection span allows hair follicle testing in Morris, PA to effectively screen for past drug use, providing a broader historical view than traditional methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Morris, PA ensures that hair follicle tests substantially reduce the chances of sample adulteration, thus providing reliable, undeniable results.

This testing approach in Morris, PA offers stringent resistance to tampering, setting it apart as a highly secure choice among drug testing methods.

By minimizing sample tampering risks, hair follicle testing in Morris, PA stands out as a trustworthy method, guaranteeing authenticity in results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Centers in Morris, PA provide accessible and hassle-free drug testing services.

Our widely available centers ensure rapid and convenient access to hair follicle testing, supporting ease of service in Morris, PA.

Morris, PA benefits from our extensive network of testing locations, facilitating quick and straightforward access to essential testing resources.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Morris, PA defines our hair testing service, ensuring privacy and ease in ordering, undergoing tests, and receiving results.

Our commitment to confidentiality in Morris, PA assures users of a straightforward, private testing process, safeguarding their personal information.

Experiencing a seamless and private testing process in Morris, PA is assured with our easy and secure methods, honoring user confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Morris, PA ensures that hair follicle testing is accessible at competitive rates with rapid results.

Our attractive pricing structure in Morris, PA coupled with swift result delivery ensures exceptional value for companies of all sizes, boosting cost-effectiveness.

Hair testing in Morris, PA offers a balance of affordability and swift return times, maximizing efficiency for varied organizational needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Morris, PA are guaranteed with our hair follicle drug tests. These tests deliver high precision in identifying substance use, ensuring reliable outcomes.

Our testing method stands out for its speed and accuracy. Hair follicle testing in Morris, PA offers a dependable solution, capable of detecting substances swiftly and precisely compared to other methods.

Speed and reliability define our hair follicle testing services, offering an effective and efficient way to obtain critical substance use information in Morris, PA.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Morris, PA is achievable through hair follicle testing, enforcing workplace drug-free policies and enhancing safety standards.

Implementing hair tests ensures compliance with legal norms in Morris, PA, mitigating risks, and securing a safe work environment for all employees.

Employers in Morris, PA gain peace of mind, knowing hair testing secures compliance and workplace safety, reducing potential legal challenges.

Drug Testing Near Morris, PA

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Philipsburg, PA

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Morrisdale, 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.

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