Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Orchard Hills, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. If obtained near the scalp, hair provides a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advised to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is unavailable, a similar mass from body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system, which involves checking that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug substances. While it's a cost-efficient way to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Presumed positive samples from Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening results are presumptively positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of a positive result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter window.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Shows historical trends: It reveals a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Orchard Hills, PA

• Hair follicle testing far surpasses traditional urine tests in its detection capabilities and reliability. In Orchard Hills, PA, these tests measure drug presence in hair, capturing a broader and clearer history of substance use.
• Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer superior accuracy and are less susceptible to attempts of tampering or cheating, providing businesses with dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Orchard Hills, PA

• One of the key strengths of hair follicle testing is its prolonged detection window, capable of identifying drug usage up to 90 days prior, providing a comprehensive perspective.
• This feature proves invaluable for employers in Orchard Hills, PA, offering insight into an individual's long-term substance habits, unlike any other testing method.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Orchard Hills, PA

• Hair follicle tests deliver results that are near impossible to tamper with, ensuring accurate and unquestionable outcomes every time. In Orchard Hills, PA, this methodology significantly minimizes sample adulteration risks, making it the most trusted choice.
• The collection and testing process discourages attempts at falsification, maintaining the integrity of the test.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Orchard Hills, PA

• Accredited Drug Testing provides unparalleled convenience with its nationwide network of testing locations, including easy access within Orchard Hills, PA. This ensures a hassle-free experience.
• With widespread facilities, individuals and organizations alike can promptly access hair testing services without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Orchard Hills, PA

• Our straightforward and confidential process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair test results prioritizes privacy and ease of use, ensuring a stress-free experience.
• Orchard Hills, PA participants can rest assured that their information remains secure, while accessing accurate testing services effortlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Orchard Hills, PA

• Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing, complemented by quick turnaround times, affirming exceptional value for businesses of all sizes.
• In Orchard Hills, PA, companies benefit from an efficient process, reducing downtime and ensuring timely and reliable outcomes for all testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Orchard Hills, PA

• Hair follicle testing offers unmatched precision in substance detection, swiftly and accurately identifying drug use. In Orchard Hills, PA, these tests provide clarity and assurance within a short timeframe, making it a trusted option for quick and dependable results.
• Due to its meticulous process, hair testing consistently delivers high accuracy in results, leaving little room for error and bolstering workplace integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Orchard Hills, PA

• For employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety. This helps maintain a secure and productive environment.
• Employers in Orchard Hills, PA enjoy peace of mind knowing they are upholding robust policies against substance misuse with reliable and accurate testing methods.

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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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