Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Audubon, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair, it offers an extended history of substance use. When hair is obtained near the scalp, it can present a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and facilitates easy transport.

Gathering a 1.5-inch length comprising around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to determine the specimen weight using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be sourced. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test's laboratory processing is comprised of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially integrated into the laboratory's system. This step involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entries outside an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though cost-effective for excluding drug usage in most samples, positive results from Screening must be corroborated to be legally accepted. Any samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Drugs are then extracted at a considerably lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug screening is notably challenging to execute.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positivity are washed as necessary before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and holds accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It is significantly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Historical insight: Offers a timeline of drug use over an extended period, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detection: There is an approximate 5-7 day lag before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the assessment is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Audubon, NJ

Hair follicle testing in Audubon, NJ, clearly surpasses traditional urine tests, providing superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a broader detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span. This extended period is crucial for providing a comprehensive profile of an individual's drug use history.

Additionally, hair testing is less invasive and nearly impossible to tamper with, further establishing it as the better alternative for employers and institutions aiming for accurate and honest test results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Audubon, NJ

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Audubon, NJ, provides employers with a more in-depth understanding of an individual’s drug history. Unlike other methods, hair tests can detect drug usage patterns over as long as 90 days, offering insights that short-term tests cannot provide.

This extensive detection period empowers employers to make informed hiring and retention decisions based on a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use history, adding a layer of safety and reliability to workplace environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Audubon, NJ

In Audubon, NJ, hair follicle testing minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results are reliable and beyond reproach. This method significantly deters attempts to alter test results, as it is much harder to manipulate than other testing methods, like urine tests.

The robust nature of hair testing provides peace of mind for all involved, safeguarding the integrity of the process and ensuring only genuine outcomes are achieved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Audubon, NJ

The convenience of numerous nationwide testing centers, including those in Audubon, NJ, ensures quick, efficient, and hassle-free access to services. This widespread availability allows individuals and employers to undertake testing without significant time delays, offering an effortless experience.

Local presence combined with a national network ensures accessibility, providing seamless testing options regardless of location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Audubon, NJ

The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle drug test results in Audubon, NJ, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. This approach respects privacy, addressing concerns about safety and discretion effectively.

Ensuring a smooth and discreet experience for all participants, the procedure is tailored to meet modern-day standards of confidentiality and ease, ensuring participants feel secure and respected throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Audubon, NJ

Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Audubon, NJ, provide companies with excellent value. This affordability, coupled with speed, ensures businesses of all sizes can incorporate comprehensive drug testing into their processes without straining budgets.

Reliable and cost-effective, these services offer peace of mind, allowing enterprises to maintain workplace safety and propel business objectives forward.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Audubon, NJ

In Audubon, NJ, hair follicle drug testing offers fast and precise results. This efficiency makes it a preferred choice for those seeking reliable and timely substance use detection. The accuracy of hair testing surpasses that of traditional methods, ensuring dependable results that help maintain safety and trust in various settings.

Employers and individuals in Audubon, NJ, who require definitive drug test outcomes can rely on the high precision of hair follicle testing. It offers unparalleled accuracy, providing peace of mind to all parties involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Audubon, NJ

Hair follicle testing aids employers in Audubon, NJ, in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Utilizing this method reduces legal risks and enhances safety by providing an accurate picture of an employee's drug use history. It's a dependable approach that not only aligns with policy requirements but also fosters a secure working environment.

These tests promote peace of mind among employers, ensuring that their workforce adheres to company standards without compromise.

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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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