Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bridgeport, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substances because it holds biomarkers within the growing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can offer roughly a 3-month detection period for substances. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for testing and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This includes ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for substances. While Screening is a cost-efficient measure to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legally acceptable. Any samples with presumptive positives in Screening must have a secondary validation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and set up for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair testing the most challenging method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive result in Screening is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated 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 assessments can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: It's very challenging to falsify a hair drug test, making the outcomes more reliable.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• No immediate use detection: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests," the test itself analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bridgeport, NJ stems from its unparalleled detection capacity and trustworthiness. The extended detection window of hair tests surpasses traditional urine tests, offering a broader view of substance activity. Hair testing is lauded for its dependable results, making it a preferred choice among testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bridgeport, NJ ensures hair follicle testing captures drug use over a remarkably longer span, typically up to 90 days. This comprehensive insight allows employers to gauge an applicant or employee's substance history more effectively, thus fostering a secure and informed workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bridgeport, NJ positions hair follicle tests as a robust solution against sample tampering. By minimizing opportunities for adulteration, this method assures the integrity and reliability of results, establishing a trustworthy standard that is difficult to compromise or falsify.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bridgeport, NJ provide ease of access for drug testing services. With centers scattered nationwide, we assure a streamlined, convenient experience, enabling clients to access necessary testing without unnecessary delays or complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bridgeport, NJ underscores an easy and discreet approach to testing, from ordering to obtaining results. We prioritize privacy and user-friendliness, addressing concerns by offering a seamless process that respects individual confidentiality at every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bridgeport, NJ reaffirm our commitment to delivering cost-effective and timely drug testing solutions. Our competitive pricing alongside rapid results ensures excellent value, providing peace of mind to businesses, irrespective of their scale.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bridgeport, NJ highlight the advanced capabilities of hair follicle tests. This method excels in its precision and speed, providing swift and exact results for substance use detection. For those seeking optimal accuracy in testing, hair follicle assessments stand out due to their thoroughness and efficiency.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bridgeport, NJ accentuates the role hair follicle testing plays in upholding drug-free workplace policies. This method helps companies remain compliant with legal mandates, thereby mitigating risk and 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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