Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Pittston, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs through the incorporation of biomarkers into the growing hair fiber. When taken near the scalp, a hair sample can offer a detection period for alcohol and drugs lasting up to roughly three months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

An ideal test sample involves a 1.5-inch length containing around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, providing 100mg of hair. This is the perfect amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional screening, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be submitted. 'Head hair' refers specifically to hair from the scalp, while 'body hair' includes other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four pivotal phases in the laboratory handling of a drug screening result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab's protocol. This step assures the sample is properly sealed and delivered, assigns a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and enters any necessary additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening serves as an initial assessment for detecting substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a legally admissible outcome requires a positive screen to be verified. Consequently, any samples preliminarily positive during Screening demand further confirmation.

For samples initially testing positive in Screening, additional hair is prepared for the Extraction phase. In Extraction, substances are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), attributing to the complexity of hair drug testing methodology.

Confirmation of preliminary positive results is performed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. To prepare for confirmation, all initially positive samples are cleaned as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, spanning Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests have the ability to recognize drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Resistant to manipulation: Hair drug tests are challenging to deceive, which enhances the reliability of the results.
• Offers historical insights: These tests can reveal a timeline of drug usage over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days before drugs can be identified in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug screenings tend to cost more compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual discrepancies in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations within hair strands.

Note: Referred to often as "hair follicle tests," these actually evaluate the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out in West Pittston, PA, for its superior efficacy over traditional urine tests. With a hair follicle test, detection rates soar, offering a more comprehensive reflection of substance use. This method significantly enhances reliability, making it the preferred choice for many.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle tests provide unmatched precision, unafraid of interference from substances or hydration levels. This robust methodology ensures that employers can trust the results as they present a clear, uncontaminated view of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extending its detection window significantly, hair follicle testing in West Pittston, PA, covers a span of up to 90 days. This extended period grants employers deeper insight into an individual's substance history, revealing patterns invisible during shorter testing phases.

This expanded timeline assists employers in understanding sustained drug use, beyond the capabilities of other tests. It allows businesses to maintain comprehensive overviews concerning employee or candidate substance habits, ultimately promoting safer workspaces.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Remarkably resistant to tampering, hair follicle tests in West Pittston, PA, provide reliable results by minimizing the risk of adulteration. This layer of security offers peace of mind through consistent and unquestionable outcomes, absent of external interference.

Where oxidative treatments fail in other testing forms, hair follicle tests maintain their integrity, preserving authenticity. This robust assurance is imperative for upholding the accuracy of collected data and subsequent decisions based on it.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's extensive reach through numerous locations across West Pittston, PA, and beyond promises a smooth and convenient testing experience. Ensuring hassle-free procedures, our centers are strategically placed to accommodate all testing needs swiftly and effectively.

Navigating testing logistics becomes a breeze with immediate access to these facilities. Whether locally or nationally, our network guarantees expedience and efficiency, providing clients with seamless service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our simple yet confidential process in West Pittston, PA, underscores the ease with which individuals can engage with hair follicle testing. From the initial order to receiving results, the process is designed with user-friendliness and privacy at its core.

This straightforward approach addresses concerns about confidentiality, ensuring all clients can trust in a discreet testing framework. Every step is streamlined, prioritizing client satisfaction and comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, our services in West Pittston, PA, provide exceptional value. Tailored pricing models accommodate businesses of varying sizes, ensuring companies reap the benefits of cost-effective solutions.

Fast service turnaround further complements our pricing, promising minimal downtime while maximizing impact. Such efficiency translates to immediate reassurance for companies, underscoring their decision to choose quality hair follicle testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

When it comes to fast, accurate, and reliable results, hair follicle tests in West Pittston, PA, lead the way. These tests precisely identify drug use with minimal delay, ensuring swift delivery without compromising accuracy. This rapid yet meticulous nature sets them apart in the testing landscape.

Employers and individuals alike benefit from the high standards maintained throughout the testing process, resulting in trustworthy outcomes. This speedy blueprint ensures informed decision-making based on dependable data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In West Pittston, PA, leveraging hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, safeguarding both employee well-being and the organization's legal standing. Such measures notably reduce legal risks while contributing to a safer, more productive work environment.

Compliance with drug-free policies not only supports safety but also fosters peace of mind. Employers can confidently rely on this dependable method for maintaining standards and aligning with regulatory demands.

Drug Testing Near West Pittston, PA

Plains, PA

Old Forge, PA

Moosic, PA

Duryea, PA

Avoca, PA

Laflin, PA

Dupont, PA

Inkerman, PA

Yatesville, PA

Exeter, PA

Hughestown, PA

Pittston, PA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews