Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Neshaminy, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair can capture a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the lengths of growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period for drugs and alcohol of up to roughly three months. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is hassle-free.

A sample consisting of 1.5 inches, around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil), nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG enhancements and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a proportional amount of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other varieties such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four key stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the initial entry of a sample into a lab’s database. This phase ensures the sample’s integrity upon sealing and shipping, assigns a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and addresses any data entry not handled by an electronic custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary drug abuse check. Although Screening efficiently excludes drug abuse in most samples at a lower cost, any positive results require confirmation for legal acceptance. Presumably positive Screening samples necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are removed from the hair at much lower concentrations than seen in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug tests uniquely challenging.

Confirmation for positive screening is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection: Hair tests can uncover drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to cheat: Hair tests are hard to falsify, ensuring more reliable results.
• Timeline data: They can display a drug pattern over time, beyond just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Recent usage undetectable: Drugs generally take 5-7 days after use to show in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing costs more than most other drug testing methodologies.
• Result fluctuations: Drug metabolite concentration in hair can vary due to factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences.

Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Neshaminy, PA, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. While urine tests may detect recent drug use, hair testing can identify substance use with superior accuracy, covering a much broader time span. This enhanced reliability and detection capability make hair testing a preferred choice for many seeking more thorough drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Neshaminy, PA extends the detection window dramatically, going up to 90 days. This provides a comprehensive understanding of a person’s substance history for employers. It helps paint a full picture of an individual’s drug use, way beyond the limited scope of urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Neshaminy, PA are inherently tamper-resistant, raising the bar for secure and honest testing. They significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring that the results are reliable and undisputed. This gives both employers and clients peace of mind regarding the authenticity of drug testing results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For residents of Neshaminy, PA, the convenience of nationwide testing facilities is a major benefit. Our numerous locations ensure that you can access hair follicle testing services easily and without hassle. This broad network allows for efficient and fast testing, ensuring no delays in receiving necessary results.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Neshaminy, PA, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to offer privacy and simplicity. This process addresses concerns about privacy and ensures an effortless experience for all involved in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing combined with quick turnaround times define our hair follicle testing services in Neshaminy, PA. This approach ensures that businesses, regardless of size, receive excellent value and quick, precise results. It's an affordable solution that provides peace of mind for employers seeking efficient drug testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The effectiveness of hair follicle drug testing in Neshaminy, PA is unmatched thanks to its speed and accuracy. With the ability to detect substance use with astonishing precision, it's become a reliable choice for employers and professionals. Hair testing guarantees fast and efficient results that meet the high standards demanded by various organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Neshaminy, PA can rely on hair follicle testing to adhere to workplace drug policies effectively. This method assures compliance and helps mitigate legal risks. It enhances workplace safety by promoting a drug-free environment and helping employers maintain a robust policy enforcement system.

Drug Testing Near Neshaminy, PA

Doylestown, PA

Chalfont, PA

New Britain, PA

Montgomeryville, PA

Willow Grove, PA

Brittany Farms-Highlands, PA

Spring House, PA

Ivyland, PA

Hatboro, PA

Maple Glen, PA

Warminster Heights, PA

Horsham, PA

Warminster, PA

Prospectville, PA

Warrington, 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