Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Beach Haven West, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of substance use by incorporating biomarkers within its growing fibers. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can reveal up to around a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively hard, and transport is uncomplicated.

A sample size of 1.5 inches composed of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp comprises 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen mass of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair only. "Body hair" encompasses all other types, including facial, axillary, etc.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four major phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into the laboratory system. This process encompasses verification of the sample's proper sealing and shipment, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and the completion of any additional data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Despite its cost-effective nature to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that display a presumptive positive result in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

A presumptive positive in Screening prompts additional hair from the original sample to be prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing proves to be more challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Hard to tamper: Cheating a hair drug test is considerably difficult, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Historical data provided: It offers a timeline of drug use behavior over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Hair drug testing is typically more costly than other methodologies.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually targets the hair strand and not the underlying follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Beach Haven West, NJ, is clear.

• Superior Detection: Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use over months.
• Reliability: Compared to urine tests, hair tests surpass in accuracy and dependability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Beach Haven West, NJ.

• Hair follicle testing reveals drug use over a longer period, offering employers an extensive view of a person's substance history, up to 90 days.
• Employers gain valuable insights to assess potential hires more thoroughly.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Beach Haven West, NJ.

• Hair follicle tests minimize tampering risks, ensuring trustworthy results.
• These tests prevent sample adulteration, offering outcome reliability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Beach Haven West, NJ.

• Our vast network of testing centers ensures easy access across the nation.
• Benefit from the convenience of local, hassle-free testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Beach Haven West, NJ.

• The process for hair testing is straightforward and discreet, ensuring privacy.
• Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are seamlessly managed to maintain confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Beach Haven West, NJ.

• Our pricing structure is competitive, delivering great value.
• Enjoy the benefits of quick turnaround times, keeping businesses running smoothly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Beach Haven West, NJ. The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests make them a top choice for detecting substance use.

• High Accuracy: These tests boast excellent accuracy in identifying drug use.
• Rapid Results: Hair tests deliver fast and dependable outcomes, ensuring prompt action.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Beach Haven West, NJ.

• Adopting hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free policies, reducing legal exposure.
• Enhance workplace safety by minimizing risks associated with substance abuse.

Drug Testing Near Beach Haven West, NJ

Mystic Island, NJ

Forked River, NJ

Barnegat Light, NJ

Waretown, NJ

North Beach Haven, NJ

Beach Haven, NJ

Tuckerton, NJ

Harvey Cedars, NJ

Barnegat, NJ

Ocean Acres, NJ

Robbinsville, NJ

West Creek, NJ

Surf City, NJ

Ship Bottom, NJ

Manahawkin, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews