Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Troy, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a longer-term record of alcohol and drug exposure by ensnaring biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Collection is straightforward, moderately challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested that the specimen be weighed on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair might be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample entering a lab’s system. This part ensures the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary rapid assessment for drug presence. While Screening offers a budget-friendly means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified for court admissibility. Samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, extra hair from the initial sample is extracted and readied for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is among the most intricate methodologies to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which observe a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: Fabricating results of a hair drug test is very difficult, which enhances accuracy.
• Historical usage data: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption across a timeframe, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inadequate for detecting recent ingestion: Drugs require about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Influences like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration within the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When considering drug testing methods in Troy, PA, hair follicle testing stands out against urine testing. It offers superior detection and reliability, capturing a wider range of substance use within a longer timeline, making it highly beneficial for comprehensive screenings.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Troy, PA, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, revealing drug use over 90 days. This allows for a detailed view of an applicant's substance history, enhancing informed hiring and retention choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Troy, PA, hair follicle drug testing minimizes the risk of sample tampering. Its resistance to adulteration ensures credible and unquestionable results, which is crucial for maintaining integrity in drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Troy, PA, access to drug testing services is both quick and hassle-free. Our broad network ensures individuals and companies can easily meet their testing needs without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Troy, PA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to result delivery, the process is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring privacy and ease, thus addressing concerns regarding confidentiality and process complexity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround, our hair follicle testing services in Troy, PA, deliver value and efficiency. Companies of all sizes can benefit from cost-effective solutions while receiving prompt and accurate results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Troy, PA, provides fast and accurate results, offering high precision in detecting substance use. Its efficient process delivers reliable outcomes rapidly, ensuring employers and individuals receive timely information for decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Troy, PA, fosters compliance with workplace drug policies, easing legal concerns and promoting safety. Employers gain peace of mind, knowing their drug-free policies are upheld rigorously and effectively.

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