Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shippensburg University, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol intake. Hair retains a long-term record of these substances by incorporating biomarkers into the strands of developing hair. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to 90 days for substances and alcohol. The collection process is straightforward, with minimal chances of tampering, and is easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches which consists of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's width) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for assessment and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't an option, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. In terms of head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

Laboratory analysis of a drug test involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary phase where a sample is integrated into a lab's system. This consists of confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional information input not provided by an electronic custody system.

Screening is an initial, rapid assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude substance abuse in most cases, a positive result needs confirmation to fulfill legal standards. Any samples that test positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this step, substances are isolated from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to execute.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that test presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can detect substance use for up to 90 days, compared to urine assessments which have a more limited detection timeframe.
• High resistance to tampering: Tampering with a hair drug test is extremely tough, enhancing the reliability of outcomes.
• Shows historical drug intake: It enables a view of substance use patterns over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent intake: It typically takes 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations usually cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the levels of drug metabolites found in hair.

Reminder: Though commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out against urine tests with its superior benefits for residents at Shippensburg University, PA. While traditional urine tests are common, hair tests excel in preventing circumvention due to their sample integrity and longer detection window. The accuracy is unparalleled.

A major advantage of hair testing over urine tests is the extended detection period. Shippensburg University, PA, professionals find hair testing a more reliable indicator due to its ability to trace substance use over 90 days, offering a comprehensive evaluation distinct from the limited window of urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing, prevalent at Shippensburg University, PA, offers a comprehensive look into an individual's substance use history. It provides employers with a detailed evaluation, detecting use over 90 days, far surpassing other methods and ensuring informed decisions.

Employers benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection capability. In Shippensburg University, PA, this test's ability to track drug use over a long period allows for a thorough analysis of employees' drug habits, offering crucial insights beyond recent consumption.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing is exceptionally tamper-resistant, an essential factor for Shippensburg University, PA, ensuring trustworthy results. Unlike other methods susceptible to manipulation, hair tests securely preserve sample integrity, delivering results that stakeholders can rely on.

In Shippensburg University, PA, hair tests provide reassurance akin to an unbreakable security seal. The method substantially reduces tampering risks. Employers and courts find value in this secure, reliable test, reinforcing confidence in its results and decision-making processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing sites spread nationwide, accessing drug testing services in Shippensburg University, PA, is seamless and efficient. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that the process is not only convenient but also swift, accommodating clients' needs effortlessly with zero hassle.

Shippensburg University, PA, benefits from accessible testing locations provided by Accredited Drug Testing. Our centers offer a convenient, stress-free experience, ensuring that drug testing requirements are met promptly and professionally, with no disruption to everyday activities.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle drug testing in Shippensburg University, PA, remains confidential and straightforward. Clients enjoy an easy ordering system paired with reliable result delivery, addressing privacy concerns effectively and fostering confidence in the procedure.

In Shippensburg University, PA, simplicity and confidentiality in drug testing are priorities. The seamless steps from booking a test to receiving results ensure that clientele's privacy is safeguarded while still delivering fast, accurate outcomes, creating an efficient testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Shippensburg University, PA, ensures affordability alongside rapid service delivery. Competitive pricing structures paired with swift turnaround times provide companies, regardless of size, the reassurance of dependable service without financial strain.

Shippensburg University, PA, businesses find value in Accredited Drug Testing's cost-effective solutions. Our services offer a blend of affordability and quick result times, ensuring that companies receive exceptional service without sacrificing their budget, enabling stress-free decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers unmatched precision, ideal for the demanding requirements of Shippensburg University, PA's drug testing landscape. With its high accuracy, the test detects a wide array of substances efficiently. Employers and professionals value this test's reliable results, ensuring the integrity of their drug-free policies.

Speed and accuracy define the hair follicle test. In Shippensburg University, PA, where quick decision-making is often crucial, this drug test delivers. Its fast processing times coupled with high reliability ensure that stakeholders receive accurate insights swiftly, aiding in making informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Shippensburg University, PA, supports employers by maintaining compliance with drug-free policies and amplifying workplace safety. By reducing legal risks, this test offers peace of mind to organizations seeking robust drug compliance measures.

For employers in Shippensburg University, PA, the adoption of hair follicle testing aids in safeguarding employee well-being. This method enhances compliance with workplace policies, ensuring a safer, more harmonious work environment and reducing exposure to legal challenges.

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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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