Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bergenfield, NJ

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by securing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for substances. The collection process is straightforward, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hairs (approximately matching the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal sample for testing and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding ten panels, 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If scalp hair is absent, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair specify scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other variations (such as facial or axillary).

Outline of the Process

The primary phases in the laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into the lab's system, which verifies that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, issues a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening implies a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient strategy for eliminating drug consumption in most samples, any positive result must be verified to be legally valid. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening require additional verification.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this procedure, substances are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than observed with other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

The Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive examples undergo a cleansing process before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guideline and certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that have a more limited detection span.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Historical insights: It offers insights into a drug usage pattern over an extended duration, not merely recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs typically take around 5-7 days before becoming detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests carry a higher price tag compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Individual factors, such as hair color and varying hair growth rates, can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite being frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself focuses on the strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine tests in Bergenfield, NJ, hair testing proves superior. Accurate detection and higher reliability make it the preferred choice for many situations.

Traditional urine tests may miss longstanding substance use. Conversely, hair testing captures an extensive usage history, ensuring more comprehensive insight.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Bergenfield, NJ, offers an unparalleled detection window of up to 90 days. Extended insight allows employers to gauge long-term substance habits.

This method grants a wide-angle view of an individual's substance history, facilitating informed decisions based on robust, historical data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test method used in Bergenfield, NJ, is known for its resistance to tampering. Sample integrity is preserved, ensuring dependable test results every time.

Hair samples provide assurance, as they are substantially harder to alter than other testing forms, delivering trustworthy outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With several centers nationwide, getting tested is easy and convenient for everyone in Bergenfield, NJ. Wide availability ensures hassle-free testing access.

Our locations are designed to provide quick and seamless service, supporting effortless testing procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle test process in Bergenfield, NJ, is both straightforward and private. Confidentiality and ease of use are prioritized for all clients.

Ordering and receiving test results is simplified, with privacy measures maintained throughout, ensuring peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bergenfield, NJ, our pricing for hair follicle testing is competitive, coupled with fast turnaround times to deliver exceptional value to businesses.

Affordability aligns with quick result delivery, offering practical solutions to companies of varied sizes, enhancing financial and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bergenfield, NJ, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their speed and accuracy. Precision and efficiency are hallmarks of this testing method, offering reliable results for substance detection.

Employing cutting-edge technology, hair follicle tests provide conclusive, fast results. High accuracy is achieved, keeping detection of substance use remarkably precise and timely.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Bergenfield, NJ employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace mandates, alleviating legal concerns and boosting safety.

Utilizing hair testing strengthens workplace safety by effectively upholding drug policy standards and reducing potential risks.

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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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