Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tylersville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an efficient means to identify alcohol and drug use. The hair retains biomarkers within its strands, providing an extended history of drug and alcohol use. Hair samples taken close to the scalp offer the potential to detect substances consumed over a period of up to three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and it is convenient to transport.

A clip of hair measuring 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil), is typically required to produce 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For testing beyond 10 panels or for EtG, it is advisable to use 150mg of the specimen. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to determine the specimen's weight. If scalp hair cannot be provided, an equivalent quantity of body hair may suffice. By head hair, we mean exclusively scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four crucial phases in the laboratory processing chain for drug testing, namely Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is introduced into the lab's system. This involves checking the condition of the sample to ensure proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment aimed at identifying drug abuse. While Screening is economically effective for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive outcomes must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

For samples with a presumptive positive result at the Screening phase, further hair from the original specimen undergoes preparation for Extraction. At this stage, drug concentration in hair is detected at much lower levels than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive findings from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed before confirmation. Each step of the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both 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 reveal drug use history up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited timeframe.
• Resistant to falsification: It is challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result fidelity.
• Historical insight: It presents a timeline of drug usage patterns, not just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Inability to indicate recent use: It generally takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in growth can alter metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the examination itself focuses on the hair strand, excluding the hair follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Tylersville, PA

Hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests with its superior detection capabilities and accuracy. Unlike urine tests that only capture recent usage, hair tests provide a longer detection window, offering a clearer insight into an individual's substance history.

In addition to longer detection periods, hair follicle tests are less susceptible to cheating. This reliability makes them particularly attractive for employers enforcing strict no-drug policies, making informed hiring decisions.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Tylersville, PA

Hair follicle tests offer an extended detection period of up to 90 days, giving employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use. This prolonged window is significantly longer than that offered by traditional urine tests, presenting a distinct advantage.

With this extended timeframe, employers in Tylersville can better assess potential risks when hiring, ensuring that employees maintain a consistent drug-free lifestyle over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Tylersville, PA

The hair follicle testing method is notably tamper-resistant. This feature significantly reduces the chance of sample adulteration, providing trustworthy results in Tylersville, PA.

Due to the meticulous collection process, the test ensures that samples cannot be easily manipulated. By doing so, both organizations and individuals can rely on the legitimacy and accuracy of the testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Tylersville, PA

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations across the nation, including Tylersville, PA. Our extensive network ensures that individuals can easily access testing services without hassle.

Thanks to strategically placed centers, the community can benefit from rapid service, making the entire process seamless and efficient. Accessibility and convenience are at the forefront of our services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Tylersville, PA

Our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential, addressing the need for privacy in Tylersville, PA. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is straightforward.

We prioritize your confidentiality, ensuring sensitive information is protected throughout the testing process. This dedication to privacy reassures individuals while maintaining ease of access to necessary testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Tylersville, PA

We offer competitive pricing structures coupled with fast turnaround times in Tylersville, PA. This combination provides excellent value, reassuring companies of all sizes regarding their investment in drug testing services.

Our efficient process ensures that you receive results promptly without compromising on quality, maintaining affordability, and timeliness as core priorities for our clientele.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Tylersville, PA

Hair follicle drug tests in Tylersville, PA offer unmatched accuracy and speed. This method provides highly precise results, detecting a wide range of substances. Due to its advanced testing procedures, individuals and organizations can trust the reliability of the outcomes.

The precision of hair follicle tests ensures that all substance use, even at minimal levels, is detected. This accuracy is crucial for maintaining accountability and ensuring compliance with drug-free policies.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Tylersville, PA

Employers using hair follicle testing in Tylersville enjoy compliance with drug-free policies, easing legal concerns and improving workplace safety. This method supports zero-tolerance drug policies effectively.

By selecting hair tests, employers gain peace of mind, knowing their staff adheres to safety standards, minimizing risks related to substance abuse, and maintaining a secure working environment.

Drug Testing Near Tylersville, PA

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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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