Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New London, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to adulteration, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch portion containing roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the ideal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn’t obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of inputting a sample into a lab’s system. It entails ensuring that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial brief examination for drugs of misuse. Although Screening is an economical approach for eliminating drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive result must be verified for it to be court-admissible. Samples that are presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug testing.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used for confirming any positive screening results. All presumptive positive samples are subjected to washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 protocols.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Challenging to falsify: The reliability of hair drug tests is high due to the difficulty in tampering with them.
• Delivers chronological data: It reveals a temporal drug use pattern rather than capturing only recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair pigmentation and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine tests in New London, PA? The answer lies in the extensive detection capabilities of hair tests, offering greater reliability. Traditional methods like urine can miss out on key data, where hair testing steps in with enhanced accuracy and a record that captures detailed substance histories. The superiority in detection undeniably makes it a favored choice.

Extended Detection Window

When it comes to the detection window, hair follicle tests in New London, PA provide an unmatched advantage. Spanning up to 90 days, these assessments grant employers a more detailed history of substance use. This extended period allows businesses to gauge an individual's drug-free status comprehensively, supplying a clear picture of the applicant or employee's past behaviors.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in New London, PA stands strong against sample tampering. By making it difficult to alter results, this method ensures outcomes are reliable and unquestionable. The technique minimizes risks associated with sample adulteration, enhancing the accuracy and validity of drug assessments, thus delivering peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Finding testing locations is hassle-free in New London, PA, thanks to the conveniently placed centers across the nation. Our network ensures easy and swift access to testing services, removing barriers commonly associated with drug testing. Whether locally in New London or across the country, getting tested has never been simpler or more straightforward.

Simple, Confidential Process

Embarking on the hair follicle testing process in New London, PA is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the journey is unobtrusive, ensuring privacy and ease for individuals and businesses. Addressing privacy concerns and promoting user-friendliness, this method serves all users with ease and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In New London, PA, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing alongside rapid turnaround times. Such competitive rates ensure excellent value, fostering peace of mind for companies big and small. Clients can enjoy cost-effective services without sacrificing the speed or accuracy of results, maintaining quality throughout every step of the process.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New London, PA, hair follicle drug tests are heralded for their precision and speed. The tests provide rapid and dependable results, making them an ideal choice for detecting substance use. With a high level of accuracy, hair tests ensure that the findings are trustworthy, delivering results promptly to meet the demands of busy organizations.

The effectiveness of hair follicle testing roots in its advanced detection methods which offer insights that are both comprehensive and swift.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in New London, PA, can rest assured with hair follicle testing, knowing it aligns with workplace drug-free policies. By utilizing this method, businesses not only enhance safety but also reduce legal risks. Hair testing ensures compliance, safeguarding companies against potential liabilities while promoting a secure working environment.

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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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