Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Upland, PA

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within its strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month window to detect drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for both initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond ten, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's best to use a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be an alternative. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes other types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test result encompass four central steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a laboratory system, ensuring it's correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and handling any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening phase is a preliminary, efficient check for drugs. Though this is a cost-effective procedure to initially rule out drug use, a positive screen needs further confirmation to be admissible in legal settings. Samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

For samples that return a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drug extraction from hair happens at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of performing hair drug screenings.

To confirm any positive Screening outcomes, procedures like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washes before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection window: Hair tests can detect drugs for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: The difficulty of cheating on a hair drug test enhances result accuracy.
• Provides usage patterns: Offers a timeline of drug use history, not limited to recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-usage.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth variations can influence metabolite concentration levels in hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually involves the hair strand instead of the follicle found beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine drug tests in Upland, PA, the former emerges as the superior choice for long-term detection. Hair tests excel with their extended detection window, unlike the limited timeframe of urine tests, providing better insights into a user's history.

The accuracy of hair follicle testing surpasses that of urine tests, boasting a higher reliability rate in identifying substance exposure over several months. Employers are increasingly favoring this method due to its consistent results.

Extended Detection Window

In Upland, PA, hair follicle testing is renowned for its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This feature equips employers with valuable insights into an applicant or employee's drug usage history, ensuring informed workforce management.

The comprehensive view offered by hair tests in Upland, PA allows employers to screen potential hires or current employees effectively, by examining long-term substance use patterns beyond what urine tests can capture.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Upland, PA serve as a tamper-resistant method, significantly lowering the risk of sample adulteration. Their ability to provide reliable and indisputable results sets them apart from other testing modalities.

The scrutiny and difficulty in altering hair samples make hair follicle testing a preferred choice in Upland, PA. This method enhances trustworthiness by delivering results that are unquestionable and steadfast, crucial for various testing needs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing brings convenience to Upland, PA with our widespread network of nationwide testing centers. We make it simple to access the services you need, quickly, and without any hassle, thanks to our strategic local placements.

With locations scattered across Upland, PA and beyond, our testing centers ensure seamless service access. Whether you're addressing workplace needs or personal concerns, our setup promotes ease and flexibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Upland, PA, Accredited Drug Testing streamlines the entire process, ensuring it's simple and confidential. With us, ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are handled with utmost discretion and ease.

Addressing privacy and simplicity, our method in Upland, PA emphasizes a confidential approach to drug testing. Users can feel assured that their information and results are managed securely and with efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

At Accredited Drug Testing in Upland, PA, we pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing and fast results. Our pricing structure caters to businesses of all sizes, ensuring affordability without compromising quality.

Our quick turnaround times in Upland, PA bring value to any business looking for effective drug testing solutions. Enjoy peace of mind, knowing you're getting top-tier service at a price that meets budget expectations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test stands out for its speed and accuracy in Upland, PA, offering swift insights into an individual's substance use. Unlike traditional methods, this test guarantees precise detection, bringing efficiency and reliability to the forefront.

Employers in Upland benefit from the hair follicle test's reliability, as its unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance traces promotes informed decision-making. This superior testing method ensures both promptness and dependability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Upland, PA helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, effectively minimizing legal risks. This testing approach enhances safety and assures peace of mind for employers.

Through hair follicle testing, Upland, PA employers can ensure workplace safety and compliance with ease. This method supports legal adherence and provides a tailored solution for enforcing drug use policies, boosting employer confidence.

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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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