Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Barnsboro, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by holding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluation and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial swift assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method for eliminating drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen needs verification to be admissible in court. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most complex method to perform.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: Altering results in a hair drug test is exceptionally difficult, which enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can present a pattern of drug use over a duration, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those in Barnsboro, NJ, hair follicle testing presents a valuable alternative to urine tests. Its benefits include superior accuracy and reliability over the traditional urine options.

An impressive detection span and tamper-resistance make hair testing a dependable choice, refining the standards for drug testing effectiveness.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Barnsboro, NJ, is its extended detection window. Unlike urine tests, it facilitates screening for drug use up to 90 days prior, providing a thorough insight into an individual's habits.

Employers thereby gain a panoramic view of an employee's or candidate's substance history, making hair tests an invaluable tool in maintaining workplace integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Located in Barnsboro, NJ, hair follicle drug tests offer a tamper-resistant method, minimizing the chance of sample manipulation and ensuring trustworthy results for companies and courts.

This method remains virtually contamination-proof, reinforcing its place as a reliable option in drug testing that guarantees total consistency and dependability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For those seeking convenience, our testing locations in Barnsboro, NJ, and across the nation offer quick-access alternatives for drug testing needs.

These centers ensure enjoyable and hassle-free testing experiences, with services crafted to maintain the highest standards for every client.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Barnsboro, NJ, is simple and confidential, emphasizing ease of use and privacy.

From placing an order to collecting and receiving results, the seamless process ensures individuals and employers worry-free testing experiences.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Whether you're from Barnsboro, NJ, or elsewhere, our hair testing provides affordable pricing coupled with fast turnaround times, making it a cost-effective solution.

We pride ourselves on offering competitive rates and excellent value for businesses seeking fast and reliable drug screening options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Located in Barnsboro, NJ, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method excels in promptly detecting substance use, providing indispensable support for decision-making.

This test's speed and precision stand as its main strengths. It leverages sophisticated technology, ensuring that each test administered produces high confidence results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Barnsboro, NJ, helps employers enforce a drug-free workplace, achieving better compliance with regulations and ensuring peace of mind.

By selecting this method, employers can address legal concerns, all while enhancing the overall safety and well-being of the work environment.

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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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