Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Wyoming, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and other drug use. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal approximately a 3-month period of alcohol and drug detection. Hair samples are easy to collect, not easily altered, and simple to mail.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp is required to provide 100mg of hair, the recommended amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's advised to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest evaluating the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four essential steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step encompasses verification that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completion of any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a reliable method for disproving drug use on the majority of samples, a positive result needs verification for court admissibility. Any samples that return a positive result in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample receives a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are isolated from the hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing a presumptive positive result are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair acknowledgment and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, compared to urine tests which offer a more limited detection span.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, making the outcomes more reliable.
• Provides historical data: It offers a chronology of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Detection in hair takes about 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more expensive than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in West Wyoming, PA, offers notable advantages compared to traditional urine tests. Hair assessments provide a superior detection window and are more difficult to manipulate, ensuring more accurate and reliable results. This makes hair testing a preferred method for comprehensive drug checks.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing in West Wyoming, PA, is unparalleled. With the ability to identify drug use up to 90 days prior, employers gain a more complete view of a person's substance history, offering insights far beyond what standard urine tests can achieve.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in West Wyoming, PA, significantly reduces the risk of adulteration. This method ensures that results are reliable and valid, providing peace of mind to employers and other stakeholders who require credible drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationwide testing, including local centers in West Wyoming, PA, ensures easy and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing services. Our widespread location coverage means there's always a testing center nearby, ready to serve your needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In West Wyoming, PA, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease, ensuring users feel comfortable and secure throughout the procedure. This straightforward approach is designed with you in mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

West Wyoming, PA, benefits from our affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive rates and efficient service ensure that businesses of all sizes receive high value without breaking the bank, providing peace of mind with timely and budget-friendly testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In West Wyoming, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled accuracy and speed. Their precision in identifying substance use ensures reliable results, making them a preferred choice for both employers and individuals. Additionally, the quick turnaround time means you get the insights you need promptly, without unnecessary delays.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in West Wyoming, PA, helps employers ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This approach not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety, offering employers confidence in maintaining a safe and compliant environment.

Drug Testing Near West Wyoming, PA

Clarks Green, PA

Factoryville, PA

Dalton, PA

Tunkhannock, PA

Clarks Summit, PA

Glenburn, PA

Upper Exeter, PA

Lake Winola, PA

West Falls, 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