Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Weigelstown, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a highly effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair is taken from near the scalp, it can reveal evidence of alcohol and drugs for up to around 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively secure against tampering, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, supplies 100mg of hair—ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is the suggested quantity. We advise weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial step of processing a sample into a lab system. This process checks that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for potential drug misuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to identify drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court use. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If the Screening phase shows a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Drugs are then extracted at a lower concentration from hair than by other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under 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, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It's quite challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires roughly 5-7 days for substances to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Weigelstown, PA

When comparing hair follicle and urine drug tests, the benefits of hair testing become clear. Its ability to accurately detect drug use over a longer duration offers an advantage. This testing method provides a more comprehensive detection capability than urine tests, which are limited to recent use.

In Weigelstown, PA, employers and legal entities benefit from the increased reliability and lessened likelihood of sample tampering that hair testing provides, ensuring a clear and accurate evaluation of substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Weigelstown, PA

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, offering insights into substance use for up to 90 days. This gives employers in Weigelstown, PA a detailed overview of an individual's drug history, surpassing other testing methods in duration.

This lengthy detection period is invaluable for making informed decisions, as it provides a historical perspective on behavior that short-term tests like urine cannot match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Weigelstown, PA

Hair follicle testing is a robust option against sample adulteration. The method is significantly more challenging to alter compared to urine tests, thereby granting reliable results that are paramount for organizations and institutions in Weigelstown, PA seeking integrity in their testing processes.

This reduces risks and enhances confidence, ensuring that results are unquestionable and trustworthy for all stakeholders involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Weigelstown, PA

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide, including those local to Weigelstown, PA. This accessibility ensures that individuals and businesses alike can reach testing centers quickly, making the process hassle-free and efficient.

The ease of accessing our services ensures that clients benefit from a smooth experience, eliminating delays and complications in conducting important drug tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Weigelstown, PA

Our drug testing process in Weigelstown, PA is designed to be straightforward and discreet. From ordering to receiving results, the confidentiality of our clients is of utmost importance, ensuring privacy and ease of use at every stage.

This clear, user-friendly system accommodates those who are new to testing, as well as experienced HR professionals, offering a seamless experience without compromising on privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Weigelstown, PA

At Accredited Drug Testing, we emphasize competitive pricing and quick result delivery, ensuring excellent value for businesses of all sizes in Weigelstown, PA. Our rapid turnaround times mean that clients receive timely insights without paying a premium, enhancing decision-making processes.

This balanced combination of affordability and efficiency makes us the preferred choice for extensive testing requirements.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Weigelstown, PA

Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their combination of speed and precision. These tests quickly deliver results, pinpointing substance use with high accuracy. The method’s reliability has made it a top choice for detecting drugs, ensuring that organizations receive swift and trustworthy outcomes.

The efficiency of hair follicle testing allows individuals and companies in Weigelstown, PA to make informed decisions without unnecessary delays, offering a streamlined approach to substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Weigelstown, PA

Employers in Weigelstown, PA can rely on hair follicle testing to meet drug-free policy standards, thereby reducing potential legal risks. This method not only showcases a commitment to workplace safety but also facilitates a drug-free environment, contributing to overall peace of mind.

By adopting this compliant testing strategy, employers can ensure their workplace is safer and aligns with drug policy regulations.

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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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