Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Strafford, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures long-term information about alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands of the growing hair. When extracted near the scalp, hair offers an alcohol and drug detection period of up to about 90 days. It is easy to collect hair samples, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp supplies 100mg, which is the perfect sample size needed for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to gather 150mg of the sample. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If there is no scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in a laboratory's processing of a drug test outcome, including Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about beginning the processing of a sample within a laboratory’s system, which involves confirming the rightful sealing and transport of the sample, providing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any remaining data not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though it is an economical approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screening result necessitates validation for legal proceedings. Presumptive positive samples from Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

When a sample is provisionally positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and arranged for Extraction. During this step, drugs are isolated from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other procedures (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the hardest method to carry out.

The confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is made through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can determine drug usage for as long as 90 days, whereas urine testing offers a more limited detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: It's exceedingly challenging to bypass a hair drug test, thus leading to more reliable results.
• Delivers historical insights: It outlines a pattern of drug usage over an elongated timeframe, rather than detecting recent consumption alone.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: It typically takes around 5-7 days before drugs can be traced in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug testing costs more than other methods of drug screening.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Factors including hair color and individual variances in hair development can influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the assessment itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Strafford, PA demonstrates distinct advantages in several respects. Hair tests boast greater detection accuracy and reliability.
Unlike urine tests, which may only highlight recent usage, the hair method provides a rigorous overview of substance interactions.
For a more dependable data reading, the choice is often evident for professionals seeking comprehensive evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers Strafford, PA employers an extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This capability ensures a thorough historical account of an individual's substance use.
By utilizing this long-term detection method, employers can appreciate a more complete picture of an applicant or employee's habits.
As a result, this method significantly enhances decision-making efficacy in hiring and risk management endeavors.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The authenticity of hair follicle tests in Strafford, PA is firmly established by their tamper-resistant capability. This testing method considerably diminishes the risk of sample adulteration.
With such a low likelihood of external interference, the outcomes are inherently reliable.
Employers and agencies can thus rely on these results, confident in their untainted accuracy, proving integral to a trustworthy testing regimen.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents and businesses in Strafford, PA benefit from convenient nationwide testing locations as provided by our extensive network. Quick and straightforward access to our services is assured no matter where you are.
Local testing sites streamline the process, eliminating unnecessary hassle.
Our focus on accessibility ensures efficient service provision to meet diverse client needs, both near and far.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Strafford, PA, ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle testing is a simple, confidential process.
The streamlined procedure respects privacy and ensures ease from start to finish.
This clarity in approach, paired with a focus on confidentiality, addresses common concerns, making the task of drug testing hassle-free and reassuringly private.
This customer-centric orientation is central to our service pledge.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Strafford, PA, guarantees affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle testing.
This ensures organizations of varied sizes can access top-tier testing at competitive rates.
The strategic pricing structure delivers unsurpassed value, paired with swift result delivery, bolstering confidence among professionals relying on reliable testing within budget parameters.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Strafford, PA, hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled urgency and reliability in results. The precision inherent in these tests makes them highly effective for substance detection.
Unlike other methods, they quickly determine patterns of use, offering rapid and definitive outcomes, which equip employers with the necessary information for informed decision-making.
This efficiency in obtaining substantial results sets them apart from traditional testing approaches.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Strafford, PA, hair follicle testing provides significant compliance and peace of mind benefits. Adopting this method underscores a commitment to workplace drug-free policies.
Such assurance not only reduces potential legal concerns but also enhances overall safety for all staff members.
The compliance peace of mind gained from using hair follicle testing becomes a pivotal asset in business management strategies.

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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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