Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Avenel, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations have gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a detailed historical account of substances, trapping biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection range for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch batch comprising about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair may be taken. Referring to head hair denotes scalp hair exclusively, while body hair includes all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory stages for processing a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab's system. This process involves ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a fast initial check for substance abuse. While cost-efficient for ruling out drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for court acceptance. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

When a sample demonstrates a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for preparation in Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is used to confirm any positive screening findings. All samples suspected positive undergo washing before confirmation. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection range: Hair drug tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter range.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are difficult to deceive, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It illustrates a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent intake: Detectability in hair requires approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Avenel, NJ

In Avenel, NJ, hair tests offer significant advantages over traditional urine testing. Hair testing excels in its ability to detect drugs, providing a superior level of accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can identify substance use over a longer period, making it less susceptible to tampering and providing more comprehensive substance use insights.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Avenel, NJ

Hair follicle testing offers a substantial advantage with its extended detection window, capturing up to 90 days of drug use. This prolonged period allows employers in Avenel, NJ, to gain a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use history, offering a complete overview of their potential drug activity long before the test.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Avenel, NJ

Hair follicle testing in Avenel, NJ, is known for its tamper-resistant nature. This method minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, making it nearly impossible to manipulate. As a result, it provides dependable results that can be trusted by employers and individuals, ensuring that the integrity of the test outcomes is maintained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Avenel, NJ

With our nationwide and local testing centers, hair follicle testing in Avenel, NJ, becomes convenient and accessible. These centers provide quick and straightforward access to testing, eliminating hassle and delays. Clients benefit from the ease of access no matter where they are located, ensuring efficient testing services at their doorstep.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Avenel, NJ

The process of ordering and undertaking hair follicle testing in Avenel, NJ, is designed to be simple and confidential. Each step, from ordering the test to receiving results, prioritizes privacy, making it a stress-free experience for individuals concerned about discretion and confidentiality while maintaining high service integrity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Avenel, NJ

We offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Avenel, NJ, ensuring affordability without sacrificing quality. In addition to budget-friendly rates, our testing services boast rapid turnaround times, providing swift and reliable results. Businesses of all sizes can take advantage of these services, gaining peace of mind and excellent value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Avenel, NJ

Hair follicle drug tests in Avenel, NJ, stand out due to their unmatched accuracy in detecting drugs. They provide fast and precise results, ensuring no substance use goes unnoticed. The method's reliability assures employers and individuals that any drug consumption is promptly identified, making it an ideal solution for accurate substance use screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Avenel, NJ

Employers in Avenel, NJ, can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. It not only reduces legal risks but also enhances workplace safety. The reliable results contribute to a peaceful work environment, offering employers the assurance that they are following strict policy adherence, leading to better overall organizational health.

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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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