Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Old Orchard, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers as the hair strand grows. By taking samples close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, modification is challenging, and transport is simple.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is preferred. It's advised to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning signifies the early phase of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. It involves validating that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening denotes an initial swift examination for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug consumption in the majority of samples, a positive screening outcome must be substantiated to be valid in court. Every sample that tests positive in Screening requires secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, compounds are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Any positive screening outcome's Confirmation is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples that test positive are cleaned as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can spot drug intake for up to 90 days, versus urine tests, which have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Delivers historical insight: The test can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent intake: Drugs typically become noticeable in hair around 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are more costly compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently mentioned as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strands, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Old Orchard, PA, hair follicle testing stands out over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities and consistency. It accurately uncovers long-term substance use, providing a detailed account that urine tests fail to deliver.

The advanced methodology ensures higher reliability, minimizing false negatives and enhancing the assurance in drug detection policies for various stakeholders.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Old Orchard, PA, is known for its comprehensive detection window, tracing drug use history back up to 90 days. This extensive period allows for a more thorough assessment of an employee or applicant's past substance usage.

Employers benefit from this feature by gaining a long-term perspective on a person’s behavior, aiding in making informed hiring or retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test is renowned in Old Orchard, PA, for its robustness against sample tampering. By significantly reducing the chances for adulteration, it guarantees trustworthy and unquestionable results.

Such reliability stems from the inherent nature of hair samples, which are less prone to manipulation compared to urine, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is paramount with easy access to hair testing facilities in Old Orchard, PA. Our exam centers are part of a larger network, making drug testing quick and straightforward.

This vast reach ensures that testing services are accessible, providing clients with hassle-free experiences across multiple locations nationally.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Old Orchard, PA, is characterized by its simple and confidential process, putting ease of use and privacy at the forefront. From ordering to result acquisition, the steps are straightforward.

The reassurances of confidentiality and an unobtrusive procedure enhance user satisfaction and confidence in the service provided.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Old Orchard, PA, hair follicle drug testing is not only thorough but also economically advantageous. The competitive pricing ensures affordability without compromising on speed and accuracy.

Companies of various scales can enjoy quick return times and valuable insights, bolstering fiscal planning and operational effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle drug testing in Old Orchard, PA, is underscored by its swift and precise results. This method’s ability to deliver fast, reliable outcomes makes it a preferred choice for detecting substance use.

With high accuracy, these tests provide a robust assessment of an individual’s drug use, ensuring trust in the results while facilitating quick decision-making for employers and concerned parties.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Old Orchard, PA, achieve both compliance with drug-free workplace laws and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method helps mitigate legal risks while fostering safer work environments.

Ensuring adherence to zero-tolerance policies is simpler when leveraging the detailed insights provided by such thorough testing procedures.

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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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