Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stormstown, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. If gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection range of roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. It is suggested to weigh the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively pertains to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases involved in the laboratory evaluation of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s workflow. This phase entails validating the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, issuing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any supplemental data entry not encompassed by an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening encompasses an initial swift examination for substance misuse. While Screening is an economical means to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal acceptability. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening must undergo a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample exhibit a tentative positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and set for Extraction. During this step, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably reduced concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thereby making hair drug testing the most intricate method to execute.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples receive a washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and conformity with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug evaluations can recognize drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection duration.
• Challenging to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly tough, thus ensuring more precise results.
• Reveals historical patterns: It discloses a timeline of drug usage, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent usage: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair drug assessments are typically pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result inconsistencies: Elements such as hair color and personal growth variances can influence drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests," the assessment itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Stormstown, PA
Hair tests surpass urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. With their ability to uncover drug usage over an extended period, they provide a more comprehensive evaluation compared to the short-term scope of urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Stormstown, PA
Hair follicle testing uncovers drug use history up to 90 days old, offering employers an in-depth perspective on an employee’s or candidate's substance habits. This extensive window grants a thorough understanding of one’s past drug interactions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Stormstown, PA
Hair follicle tests significantly lessen the chance of sample alteration, assuring delivery of credible and unquestionable results. This methodology ensures data integrity, maintaining trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Stormstown, PA
Our widespread network of testing facilities facilitates fast and efficient drug testing services across the nation, guaranteeing straightforward access for all clients requiring testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Stormstown, PA
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results remains both simple and confidential, addressing privacy worries and demonstrating ease of use for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Stormstown, PA
We deliver competitive pricing coupled with quick result turnaround, presenting excellent value while granting peace of mind to companies, regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Stormstown, PA
Experience swift and precise outcomes with hair follicle drug tests, recognized for their exceptional accuracy in identifying drug use. This advanced testing method ensures dependable detection, providing results you can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Stormstown, PA
Adopting hair follicle testing upholds workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal concerns and fostering a safer work environment. This approach provides assurance to employers while emphasizing adherence to company standards.

Drug Testing Near Stormstown, PA

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State College, PA

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Moshannon, PA

Toftrees, PA

Julian, PA

Baileyville, PA

Ramblewood, PA

Park Forest Village, PA

Port Matilda, 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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