Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bordentown, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of alcohol and drugs. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When collected near the scalp, hair samples can reflect a detection period of up to three months for various drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 strands of hair, approximately as thick as a pencil, taken nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair—the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. When performing tests for EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. If scalp hair is insufficient, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. In this context, head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary stages in laboratory processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a specimen into the laboratory system. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and conducts any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for excluding drug use in most specimens, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be court admissible. Samples that test positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

Should a specimen test positive in the Screening process, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, the drug is extracted from hair at a much lower level than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine testing provides a shorter detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage data: Hair drug tests offer a timeline of drug consumption over weeks or months, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than alternative methods.
• Variable results: Individual differences, like hair color and growth rates, may impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand above the scalp, not the hair follicle beneath it.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The Superiority of Hair Testing

In Bordentown, NJ, hair follicle tests offer unparalleled advantages over urine tests. Their ability to detect drug use over an extended period makes them more reliable. This test's accuracy and the impossibility of tampering provide peace of mind, whereas traditional urine tests might miss recent usages.

Enhanced Detection Accuracy

Hair testing's longer detection window contrasts sharply with standard urine analysis. Employers can count on these tests for assured and precise outcomes.

Extended Detection Window

Long-Term Detection Capability

In Bordentown, NJ, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its extended detection period. Being able to track drug use up to 90 days allows employers and agencies a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history. This expanded timeframe provides a broader view of behavior than more immediate testing methods.

Benefits for Employers

Such extended detection ensures that employers in Bordentown receive an encompassing assessment of an applicant's or employee's history, crucial for safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reducing Sample Adulteration

Hair follicle drug testing in Bordentown, NJ, offers a robust solution against sample tampering. Its collection method, which is difficult to adulterate, provides dependable and unquestionable results, unlike some other testing mechanisms. This reliability is a cornerstone for organizations needing assured results.

Reliable Results

For Bordentown employers, using a test that minimizes tampering risks translates into greater confidence in results, enhancing organizational policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessibility in Bordentown, NJ, through our extensive network of nationwide centers. This convenience factors into our service delivery, offering hassle-free and quick access to testing for all clients, whether they're in Bordentown or elsewhere.

Local and National Presence

With both local and nationwide sites, obtaining a drug test becomes simple, enhancing ease and effectiveness of service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

Confidential and Straightforward Process

The process for drug testing in Bordentown, NJ, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, each step prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, allowing clients to navigate the system with ease and assurance.

Privacy Assurance

Our streamlined approach addresses privacy concerns, ensuring that clients in Bordentown experience a process that respects their confidentiality at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Quick Results

Accredited Drug Testing in Bordentown, NJ, promises both affordable pricing and rapid result turnaround. These features provide exceptional value for companies of all sizes, ensuring financial efficiency alongside reliable drug testing outcomes.

Value and Assurance

Our commitment to cost-effectiveness doesn't compromise the quality of service, making us a trusted partner for organizations needing dependable and swift drug testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Efficiency in Bordentown, NJ

Hair follicle drug tests deliver swift and accurate results, making them highly reliable for detecting substance use. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests provide a higher level of accuracy, ensuring that results are both precise and prompt, significantly benefiting stakeholders requiring timely information.

Employers and agencies in Bordentown can trust this testing to furnish results quickly while maintaining high accuracy standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Safety

In Bordentown, NJ, hair testing assists employers in maintaining drug-free workplaces, an integral part of safety compliance. By adopting these methods, companies reduce legal risks and promote a secure and compliant work environment, fostering greater confidence and peace of mind among all employees.

Employer Confidence

Utilizing hair tests for drug screening aligns with national safety protocols, endorsing a more straightforward approach to maintaining workplace integrity.

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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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