Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Strong, PA

What it is, How it works

Recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing has gained prominence. Offering a prolonged record of substance use, hair captures biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. If collected near the scalp, it allows for up to a 3-month detection window for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

The optimal sample comprises a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), which yields 100mg of hair for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not present, body hair of equivalent amount can be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. Though cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples deemed presumptively positive require a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging to perform.

A positive screening result's Confirmation is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. From Accessioning through Confirmation, the entire lab process is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests typically feature a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Due to the difficulty in cheating a hair drug test, results are more reliable.
• Historical insight: It offers an overview of drug use over an extended duration, as opposed to just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug-testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Strong, PA
When comparing hair testing with urine tests, hair analysis stands out for its superior detection timeframe. While urine tests offer snapshots of recent use, hair tests provide insights into prolonged consumption patterns. This capability makes them invaluable for employers and institutions seeking comprehensive insights into substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Strong, PA
Hair testing uncovers drug usage over a span of 90 days, offering employers a thorough view of the candidates’ or employees’ drug history. Such an extensive timeframe helps in effectively monitoring substance usage patterns, supporting informed decision-making in hiring and retention processes, and promoting a healthier workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Strong, PA
Hair follicle testing remarkably diminishes the odds of tampering, yielding results that are reliable and indisputable. This testing approach enhances the integrity of the results as it is less susceptible to manipulation, thereby assuring accurate representation of substance use which is pivotal for compliance and security needs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Strong, PA
With an array of testing centers nationwide, accessing drug testing services is both stress-free and efficient. The strategic placement of facilities, including local setups in Strong, PA, ensures seamless service delivery, meeting varied testing needs promptly, and offering unmatched convenience to all clients involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Strong, PA
The hair follicle testing procedure is straightforward and discreet, keeping privacy as a top priority. This ensures a user-friendly experience, from sample collection to receiving results, leaving test subjects with peace of mind regarding the confidentiality of their personal and sensitive data throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Strong, PA
Offering competitive pricing schemes and swift result delivery, hair follicle drug tests provide excellent value for businesses of any size. This combination not only enhances operational efficiency but guarantees peace of mind thanks to prompt and reliable feedback, which bolsters decision-making processes significantly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Strong, PA
Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled accuracy, identifying substance use with speed and precision. Unlike traditional methods, these tests capture a detailed substance consumption history promptly and accurately, ensuring organizations receive trustworthy results. This reliability makes it an optimal choice for those prioritizing efficacy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Strong, PA
Opting for hair follicle drug testing aligns with workplace drug-free initiatives, mitigating legal complications while bolstering safety. By incorporating such reliable testing, companies enhance their reputations as employers committed to a secure, drug-free environment, fostering trust and tranquility among stakeholders.

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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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