Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Auburn, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a detailed record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the structure of growing hair strands. When gathered from an area near the scalp, hair can reveal usage patterns from the past three months for substances like alcohol and other drugs. This method of collection is straightforward, proves challenging to tamper with, and is easily transported.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands (roughly equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil), secured close to the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred sample size for testing and validation. For tests requiring EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to collect 150mg of hair. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair includes all other areas (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes integrating the sample into the lab’s system initially. Key tasks include confirming the sample’s seal and correct shipment, generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and filling in any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary test for drugs, ensuring cost efficiency when assessing most samples for drug usage, but a positive Screening requires confirmation for legal validity. Any samples with an initial positive result during Screening need further confirmation testing.

In cases where Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), illustrating the complexity and uniqueness of hair drug screening.

Verification through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS confirms any positive Screening outcomes. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive findings undergo cleansing as necessary. The full laboratory sequence from Accessioning through to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Lengthy detection period: Hair drug assessments can recognize substance use up to 90 days, contrasting with the shorter detection periods of urine assessments.
• Resistant to tampering: Hair drug assessments are difficult to falsify, enhancing result reliability.
• Chronological insights: They furnish a chronological pattern of substance use beyond recent activities.

Limitations:

• Lacks immediate detection: Approximately 5-7 days are required for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are often more costly than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Whilst commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Choose Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Testing in Auburn, NJ?

Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are not easily manipulated, thus providing a true reflection of substance use. Furthermore, hair testing can trace drug use over an extended period, offering a broader insight than urine tests alone offer.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Auburn, NJ

One of the principal advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to uncover drug use over a long span, often up to 90 days. This capability presents employers with a comprehensive drug history profile of applicants or employees, proving invaluable for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Auburn, NJ

Hair follicle tests are designed to thwart tampering efforts, ensuring credibility in drug testing. The method's resistance to adulteration renders it a reliable choice for detecting drug use, maintaining integrity in the screening process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Auburn, NJ

Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers simplifies access for those in Auburn, NJ. With local locations, we offer a seamless experience for clients requiring drug testing, ensuring convenience and efficient service every step of the way.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Auburn, NJ

The process for conducting hair follicle tests is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to result reception, every step prioritizes privacy while ensuring user ease. This approach addresses potential concerns about confidentiality while maintaining simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Auburn, NJ

Competitive pricing and rapid result delivery define our services in Auburn. This ensures businesses, irrespective of size, receive cost-effective solutions with quick access to results, reinforcing our commitment to value and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Auburn, NJ

Hair follicle drug tests in Auburn promise quick and precise results, swiftly identifying substance use. Their accuracy rate surpasses other methods, ensuring reliable outcomes. The enhanced efficiency enhances analysis, minimizing waiting periods for crucial drug or alcohol detection results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Auburn, NJ

Employers in Auburn can bolster compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair testing. This practice minimizes legal risks and elevates safety standards, providing peace of mind to businesses dedicated to maintaining a sober environment.

Drug Testing Near Auburn, NJ

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Marshalltown, NJ

Deepwater, NJ

Fenwick, NJ

Bridgeport, NJ

Golf View, NJ

Penns Grove, NJ

Carneys Point, NJ

Woodstown, NJ

Swedesboro, NJ

Sharptown, NJ

Beckett, NJ

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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