Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Sunbury, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers in the growing hair strand's fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair can provide around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 strands of hair (about the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests over 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair lacks, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. When discussing head hair, we only mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four core phases in laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a sample into the lab’s system. This covers verifying the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid check for drug abuse. Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage on most samples, yet a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening require a further confirmation.

If a sample indicates positive in the Screening stage, extra hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most complex method.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Challenge to deceive: It's extremely hard to cheat a hair drug test, thus the results are more reliable.
• Offers historical data: It provides a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolites' concentration in the hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When measuring drug use in West Sunbury, PA, hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. With the ability to unveil drug consumption over an extended timeline, hair tests offer insight that urine tests might miss due to their shorter detection period.

Not only does hair testing provide a more comprehensive overview, but it also minimizes the chances of adulteration, which is a common issue with urine tests. This makes hair follicle testing the most reliable method for employers and legal entities aiming for unfaltering resolution.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides West Sunbury, PA employers with a rich historical record of an individual's substance use, reaching up to a 90-day window. This longevity offers a panoramic view of a person’s past behavior, facilitating informed recruitment or retention decisions.

The extended detection range of hair tests proves particularly beneficial for employers, as it goes beyond the 3-day span of common urine tests. By choosing hair follicle testing, West Sunbury businesses gain a more detailed substance history of their employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In West Sunbury, PA, hair follicle tests are esteemed for their resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair testing procedures significantly reduce the risk of falsification or adulteration, ensuring outcomes that are both robust and trustworthy.

This method's integrity makes it the preferred choice for employers and legal authorities who demand indisputable results. By relying on hair testing, rest assured in the accuracy of results, which enhances compliance with institutional policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With multiple testing centers nationwide, including those in West Sunbury, PA, our hair follicle testing services are easily accessible. This network enables quick and efficient testing, minimizing the inconvenience for individuals and organizations seeking timely results.

Our expansive reach assures West Sunbury residents of convenient access to reliable testing services, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a seamless and straightforward testing experience wherever you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

Underlining the simplicity of the process, hair follicle testing in West Sunbury, PA is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering and testing to receiving results, every step is designed to maintain privacy while ensuring ease of use.

Clients can rest assured knowing their information remains confidential throughout. The streamlined process alleviates concerns about complexity, making hair follicle testing the preferred choice for individuals and businesses alike in West Sunbury.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In West Sunbury, PA, we pride ourselves on offering hair follicle testing that balances affordability with speed. Our competitive pricing model ensures companies of all sizes can access our premium services, while our fast turnaround times ensure that results are delivered promptly.

This cost-effective approach combined with quick results allows for better resource management and operational efficiency, providing great value and peace of mind for businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In West Sunbury, PA, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with swift and precise outcomes. The high accuracy in identifying substance use makes these tests an ideal choice for those who value precision. The quick processing time guarantees that employers receive reliable information about past substance use, leading to confident decision-making.

The promptness and dependability of hair follicle testing in West Sunbury ensure employers are well-informed about an individual's drug use history. This efficiency is crucial for maintaining a productive and drug-free workplace, providing both peace of mind and enhanced safety standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in West Sunbury, PA can achieve both compliance and peace of mind by implementing hair follicle testing. This testing method ensures adherence to strict workplace drug-free protocols, limiting potential legal risks while bolstering safety and productivity.

Hair follicle testing not only assures thorough policy compliance but also minimizes the possibility of workplace incidents related to drug use. This dual benefit of legal protection and enhanced safety earns it a pivotal role in diligent corporate governance.

Drug Testing Near West Sunbury, PA

Eau Claire, PA

Homeacre, PA

Butler, PA

Homeacre-Lyndora, PA

Bruin, PA

Petrolia, PA

Slippery Rock, PA

Karns City, PA

Chicora, PA

Slippery Rock University, PA

Shanor-Northvue, PA

Boyers, PA

Hilliards, PA

Northvue, PA

North Washington, 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