Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Trevose, PA

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG testing, add-ons, and exams exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. Referencing head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning refers to the preliminary treatment of a sample within a lab's system. This process ensures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any residual data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary quick check for drugs of abuse. Though it is a cost-efficient means to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court acceptability. All samples preliminarily positive in Screening demand secondary verification.

Should a sample test presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations much lower compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening a particularly challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which possess a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Shows historical patterns: The test can reveal a pattern of drug use over a longer span, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis concentrates on the hair strand rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Trevose, PA, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests by providing superior detection accuracy and reliability. Employers prefer this method because it offers an extensive detection window, ensuring a more comprehensive screen for substance use.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Trevose, PA, drug use detection extends up to 90 days. This enables employers to receive a full account of an applicant or employee's drug use history, providing a clearer picture over time unlike shorter detection methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Trevose, PA are designed to minimize tampering risks, ensuring reliable and unquestionable outcomes. This robust testing method renders it nearly impossible for samples to be adulterated, guaranteeing the integrity of the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

We offer convenient hair follicle testing locations nationwide and locally in Trevose, PA, simplifying the process with easy access. Our wide network ensures you receive swift and hassle-free testing services no matter where you're situated.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Trevose, PA, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are handled with a focus on privacy and ease, addressing any concerns you might have about maintaining your confidentiality throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround in Trevose, PA make hair follicle testing both affordable and efficient. Businesses of all sizes find excellent value in our services, ensuring quick and dependable results for peace of mind without breaking the budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Trevose, PA offers exceptional accuracy and speed. This method is favored for its high precision in identifying substance use, providing reliable results promptly. Employers and individuals alike benefit from quicker turnaround times compared to other methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Trevose, PA can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and contributes to a safer work environment, allowing employers peace of mind knowing their workforce adheres to necessary standards.

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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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