Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Brighton, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands, hair offers a prolonged history of substance use. When collected from near the scalp, hair can reflect alcohol and drug use for as long as three months. The process of collecting hair samples is straightforward, it's relatively resistant to tampering, and it's convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 strands of hair, about the circumference of a #2 pencil, nearest to the scalp, constitutes a 100mg sample, which is optimal for screening and confirmatory processes. For EtG, additional or extended tests involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is insufficient, an equivalent volume of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively means scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases involved in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory system. This phase includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for substance abuse, serving as a cost-effective method to exclude drug use for most samples. However, a positive result from Screening must be confirmed to be valid in a legal setting. All samples testing presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirming any positive result from screening occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptively positive samples are washed before confirmation when needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days compared to the narrower detection timeframe of urine tests.
• Resistance to deception: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage information: It offers a timeline of substance use rather than merely indicating recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to trace recent usage: Detection of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than other methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite commonly being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superiority of hair follicle testing over urine testing lies in its enhanced detection precision and reliability. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests trace substance use over a much longer span, ensuring employers in New Brighton precise insights into substance habits.

Hair testing's superior accuracy stems from its ability to capture the presence of drugs consumed in the past three months. In contrast, urine tests often only cover recent use, leaving room for inaccuracies in identifying long-term patterns.

When comparing these methods, hair testing proves to be more reliable for companies aiming to uphold strict drug policies. Its extended window provides a clearer picture of an individual's substance history, making it a valuable tool for comprehensive screening.

Extended Detection Window

An advantage of hair follicle testing is its ability to monitor up to 90 days of drug use, giving employers in New Brighton an extensive overview of an individual's history with substances.

This extended detection span is particularly beneficial for companies looking to maintain drug-free environments. Unlike other testing forms, hair tests provide a comprehensive insight into past behaviors.

Employers find value in this broader coverage, as it aids in making more informed decisions regarding potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests reduce the likelihood of sample tampering, ensuring dependable results in New Brighton. Such tests shield against meddling, a prevalent issue in other testing methods.

The robustness of hair testing deters adulteration attempts, safeguarding the integrity of drug testing outcomes. Employers benefit from this certainty, focusing on result accuracy and reliability.

Ensuring drug test results are trustworthy boosts confidence among employers who prioritize integrity in their workplace policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing underscores convenience with nationwide centers, including locations in New Brighton. Our network ensures hassle-free and quick access to testing services.

Accessible testing locations offer employers ease in maintaining rigorous substance policies. The proximity of services enhances convenience.

Local and national availability of our testing centers reflects our commitment to service accessibility and customer satisfaction.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in New Brighton is straightforward and private. From ordering to receiving results, the process prioritizes user ease and confidentiality.

Understanding privacy concerns, we ensure discretion at each step. This simplicity and confidentiality reassure individuals undertaking the test.

Such a process is designed to alleviate concerns, allowing a focus on the benefits of comprehensive testing methods.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In New Brighton, our competitive pricing and quick turnaround distinguish our hair follicle testing services. We offer excellent value, catering to organizations of all sizes.

Employers benefit from cost-effective solutions that don’t compromise on result speed and accuracy. Fast results foster efficiency in decision-making.

Our pricing structures are designed to offer peace of mind, making dependable drug testing accessible to all sectors.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New Brighton, the effectiveness of hair follicle drug tests is marked by their speed and accuracy. These tests deliver precise findings promptly, making them invaluable for detecting substance use.

The rapid turnaround coupled with substantial detection accuracy sets hair testing apart. Individuals and organizations benefit from this promptness, allowing timely decisions based on the definitive data.

Employers appreciate the expeditious and reliable results, ensuring quick responses to substance use concerns. Efficiency in testing not only saves time but also aids in maintaining a safe and compliant work setting.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in New Brighton seeking workplace safety and legal compliance find solace in hair follicle testing. This method upholds drug-free policies effectively, reducing legal vulnerabilities.

Comprehensive testing ensures adherence to regulations while minimizing risks associated with substance-related incidents. It contributes to a safer workplace environment.

Choosing hair testing aligns with responsible management, focused on compliance and enhancing workplace morale.

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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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