Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wildwood, PA

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has become recognized as an effective mechanism for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimum sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg of the sample. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. In cases where scalp hair is not accessible, a similar volume of body hair can be sampled. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for processing a drug test result in a laboratory encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This entails confirming the secure sealing and proper shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court acceptance. Samples that yield presumptive positive results in Screening require additional confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positives during the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, substances are drawn out from hair at much reduced levels compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging to conduct.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation, if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, versus the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is particularly hard to manipulate hair drug tests, ensuring greater result precision.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal drug use trends over time, not just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug screening techniques.
• Result variances: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Wildwood, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests with its superior detection accuracy. The reliability of hair tests offers a distinct advantage over traditional urine testing methods, making them a more efficient choice.

Employers value the ability of hair tests to detect drug use over an extended period, minimizing the possibility of inaccurate results. These tests provide a layered assessment, clearly demonstrating the superior nature of hair tests compared to urine analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Wildwood, PA leverages hair follicle testing for its extensive detection window, covering drug use history for up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain deeper insights into an applicant or employee's substance use patterns.

The extended detection period serves as a powerful tool for employers, presenting a detailed substance history that supports more informed hiring or retention decisions. Hair testing exceeds the capabilities of shorter-window tests, providing a broader perspective.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Wildwood, PA, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests ensures the integrity of results. By virtually eliminating the chance of sample adulteration, these tests significantly enhance reliability.

The robust defense against tampering that hair tests provide makes them a favored choice, delivering results that are both unquestionable and precise. This method sets a higher standard for accuracy compared to other testing forms.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationwide testing centers, including those in Wildwood, PA, exemplifies ease and accessibility. The hassle-free access to testing services ensures swift testing procedures.

Employers and individuals appreciate the local availability, reducing wait times and making the testing process simple. Whether in Wildwood or other locations, access to testing is quick and straightforward, making it highly practical.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Wildwood, PA is designed to be simple and confidential. From the initial order to receiving results, every step safeguards privacy and ease-of-use.

This approach addresses potential privacy concerns, ensuring individuals and employers feel secure and comfortable throughout the testing process. With clear procedures and confidential handling, the process becomes seamless and worry-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Wildwood, PA is both affordable and efficient. Companies of all sizes benefit from cost-effective pricing, paired with quick result turnaround times.

The economic pricing ensures accessibility, while fast processing delivers exceptional value. Employers gain reassurance knowing they receive high-quality results without excessive costs, making it an attractive option for organizations aiming for fiscal prudence.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wildwood, PA, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests set a new standard. These tests stand out for their remarkable capability to accurately detect substance usage, providing results that are both trustworthy and timely.

When reliability matters, these tests offer peace of mind due to their high accuracy, elevating them above traditional methods. City residents and companies benefit from the fast verification process, enabling quicker decision-making with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Wildwood, PA offers employers compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to strict drug-free workplace policies, these tests mitigate potential legal risks.

Employers embrace this testing method to not only align with safety standards but also foster a drug-free environment. Choosing hair testing reinforces a commitment to safety, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving overall workplace security.

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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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