Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oakwood, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the strands as they grow, hair delivers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. It’s straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and is conveniently transportable.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp area, will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional assessments, or panels exceeding 10, a collection of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is highly recommended. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. When we mention head hair, we're discussing only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary hair, etc.

Process Overview

The primary phases encompassed in a laboratory's drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory's system. This step ensures the appropriate sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any leftover data entry that an electronic custody chain hasn't covered.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drugs. Although Screening serves as an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive screening requires confirmation for courtroom admissibility. Any samples that show presumptive positives during the Screening procedure necessitate further confirmation through additional testing.

If a specimen suggests positivity during Screening, more hair is procured from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening stands as the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirming positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the standards of ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a reduced detection duration.
• Difficult to manipulate: Counteracting a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thus enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Historical data provision: It can illustrate a pattern of substance usage over an extended timeframe, rather than merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It typically requires 5-7 days before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur greater costs when compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result inconsistencies: Variations like hair color and different hair growth rates among individuals can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair samples.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oakwood, PA

Hair testing offers superior advantages over traditional urine tests. It provides an extensive detection window, capturing drug use over months rather than days. The accuracy of hair tests in identifying substance use translates to a reliable assessment of an individual's long-term drug history. This advantage ensures that employers and legal authorities receive unambiguous, trustworthy data for making critical decisions.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Oakwood, PA

With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing gives employers a comprehensive overview of a person's drug use history. This method captures a longer timeframe of substance intake, making it invaluable for assessing habitual drug use. Employers gain an in-depth understanding of an applicant or employee’s substance history, promoting informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oakwood, PA

One significant benefit of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering. The method is designed to significantly reduce the possibilities of sample adulteration, ensuring reliable results. Unlike other testing methods, altering hair samples is incredibly challenging, providing unquestionable data that supports workplace safety and compliance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Oakwood, PA

Our extensive network of testing centers provides convenience and accessibility. With nationwide locations, including in Oakwood, PA, our services ensure fast and hassle-free access to testing. Whether near or far, our centers are equipped to meet testing needs promptly, offering seamless service for individuals and organizations alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Oakwood, PA

The process for conducting a hair follicle drug test is straightforward and respects confidentiality at every step. From ordering to testing and receiving results, each stage guarantees simplicity and privacy, addressing any concerns individuals might have about their sensitive information being handled securely.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oakwood, PA

Our competitive pricing structures complement our commitment to quick turnaround times, providing exceptional value to businesses of all sizes. Employers can benefit from cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on quality or efficiency, enabling them to maintain workplace standards without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oakwood, PA

Hair follicle drug tests excel in delivering quick and precise results that are crucial for employers seeking to maintain a safe and compliant workplace. Their high accuracy rate in detecting past drug use ensures that employers can trust the outcomes. The efficiency in processing these tests is unparalleled, allowing businesses to make timely and informed hiring decisions with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oakwood, PA

Utilizing hair follicle testing, employers can maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks while enhancing overall safety. This testing method offers peace of mind by assuring that employees meet company standards, creating a drug-free work environment that is more productive and less prone to incidents related to substance abuse.

Drug Testing Near Oakwood, PA

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Lawrence, PA

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Oakland, PA

New Castle Northwest, 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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