Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Towamensing Trails, PA

What it is, How it works

Considered potent for unveiling drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing captures these elements over time by embedding biomarkers in its strands. Gathered close to the scalp, it offers up to around three months of alcohol and drug detectability. Hair sampling is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), near the scalp, yields 100mg, optimal for evaluation and validation. For EtG, supplements, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We advocate for using a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may suffice. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other varieties (including facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The quartet of major phases in lab processing of a drug test outcome includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary integration of a sample into the system of a laboratory. It verifies the sample's proper sealing and transport, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data documentation absent in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening comprises an initial swift evaluation for drugs of misuse. Though cost-efficient for dismissing drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in the Screening phase necessitate subsequent confirmation.

For samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methods (for instance, urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results undergo GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS for Confirmation. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug testing is exceedingly challenging to cheat, enhancing result accuracy.
• Records historical usage: It reveals a timeline of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of revealing recent use: Drugs need roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug examinations typically bear more expense than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Results may vary: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests in Towamensing Trails, PA, stand superior when compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests are common, hair testing offers enhanced accuracy in detection and superior reliability. The advantages of hair testing include a longer detection period, increased accuracy, and the inability to alter the results, offering a more robust solution for drug detection.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Towamensing Trails, PA, detecting drug use over extended periods is feasible. Employers gain a detailed view of an individual's substance use history with hair tests, which capture drug usage up to 90 days prior. This extended window provides a more comprehensive profile, assisting employers in making informed decisions about their workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Towamensing Trails, PA, significantly reduces the chance of sample tampering. Unlike other methods, the integrity of hair samples is well-protected, ensuring reliable and conclusive results. This testing method enhances credibility by eliminating the common manipulation methods associated with other sample types, maintaining the accuracy of test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience provided by our widespread testing network is evident, especially in Towamensing Trails, PA. With numerous testing centers nationwide, these locations ensure clients can access prompt, stress-free testing services. Our comprehensive network enables efficient and uncomplicated testing experiences for all clients, enhancing accessibility for those in need.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Towamensing Trails, PA, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, our method ensures privacy at each step. Clients can rely on the ease of use and discreet handling of their information, confidently addressing any privacy concerns associated with drug testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For businesses in Towamensing Trails, PA, Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, highlighting great value and efficiency. Our competitive pricing models, coupled with fast processing, ensure that companies of any size receive premium service and timely results without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Towamensing Trails, PA, the speed and precision of hair follicle drug testing set it apart as the ideal method for substance detection. Hair tests offer unparalleled accuracy, identifying drug use with high reliability. This efficient testing not only provides rapid results but also assures stakeholders of its dependability in consistently identifying substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Towamensing Trails, PA, benefit from peace of mind by incorporating hair follicle testing into their drug-free workplace policies. This method promotes compliance, decreases legal risks, and bolsters overall workplace safety. By ensuring accurate and consistent results, hair testing supports a secure organizational environment.

Drug Testing Near Towamensing Trails, PA

Sierra View, PA

Pocono Mountain Lake Estates, PA

Tobyhanna, PA

Blakeslee, PA

Sun Valley, PA

Harmony, PA

Indian Mountain Lake, PA

Holiday Pocono, PA

Albrightsville, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews