Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cherry Hill Mall, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The structure of hair captures a lasting record of alcohol and drug biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. A strand collected near the scalp can provide a detection window of up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimum sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen weight. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be retrieved. For head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four critical steps in the laboratory procedure for evaluating a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step verifies that the sample was secured and transported correctly, assigns a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be considered valid in court. Samples that initially show a positive result in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration level compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging methodology to execute.

Verification of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is appraised under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation as well as the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to manipulation: It is exceedingly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Historical record: It offers a record of drug use habits over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cherry Hill Mall, NJ, is evident with numerous benefits over traditional urine tests. The hair test provides superior detection accuracy with a significantly longer detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This method ensures that drug use cannot easily be hidden, giving employers and legal entities more comprehensive insights than urine tests.

The reliability of hair testing goes unmatched, minimizing the chance of sample tampering seen in other methods. Employers favor this method for its consistency in detecting substance use, adhering to zero-tolerance policies effectively. Using hair over urine tests ensures that employers enforce their drug policies with robust, reliable test outcomes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a notable feature of hair follicle testing in Cherry Hill Mall, NJ. Unlike traditional drug tests, hair testing can identify substance use for up to 90 days. This gives employers an extensive overview of an individual's drug use history, facilitating informed decision-making in hiring and employment processes.

Being able to detect a broader timeframe presents employers with reliable data and helps maintain workplace integrity. The extended period offers a clearer picture of a candidate's lifestyle, enabling more educated hiring decisions aligned with organizational values and standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cherry Hill Mall, NJ, assures reliability with hair follicle testing, significantly reducing sample adulteration risks. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less prone to tampering, providing trustworthy results. This integrity is crucial for employers and organizations prioritizing accuracy and fairness in their drug testing programs.

Adulteration becomes a non-issue as the collection process is secure, ensuring the sample's authenticity remains intact. This method strengthens the confidence employers have in the testing process, certifying the results as valid and irrefutable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations include those in and around Cherry Hill Mall, NJ. With centers spread nationwide, including local sites, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that drug testing is easily accessible. The proximity of these locations offers quick, hassle-free service for individuals and businesses alike. Easy access to testing services ensures that deadlines are met, and the testing process is smooth.

Local presence in Cherry Hill Mall means that individuals don’t have to travel far, saving time and resources. This level of accessibility resonates with many businesses committed to streamlined drug testing operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process at Cherry Hill Mall, NJ, makes hair follicle testing straightforward and unobtrusive. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is designed to be user-friendly, addressing and alleviating privacy concerns. Employees and individuals can confidently participate in tests secure in the knowledge that their personal information is protected.

Discretion is paramount; throughout the testing process, privacy is maintained, ensuring confidentiality for all parties involved. This secure process enhances participation willingness, knowing that sensitive information is well-guarded.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround characterize hair follicle testing services at Cherry Hill Mall, NJ. Competitive pricing strategies offer excellent value for companies, big or small, seeking reliable drug testing solutions. The fast turnaround on results ensures that businesses experience minimal disruptions, receiving necessary information swiftly.

Cost-effectiveness and efficiency make this option attractive to organizations aiming for efficient resource use. Quick delivery of results from hair testing supports business operations needing agile responses in staffing and compliance needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are a significant advantage in Cherry Hill Mall, NJ. Hair follicle drug tests offer high precision and speed in detecting substance use. Thanks to advanced testing methodologies, the accuracy rate is exceptionally high, making this method trusted by numerous employers and organizations. Hair tests swiftly provide results with minimal waiting time, ensuring efficient drug detection processes.

With state-of-the-art laboratories, the process is streamlined to promptly handle samples. Speed is matched with reliability, as hair testing identifies a range of substances without the delays seen in other testing methods. This efficiency contributes to maintaining a drug-free workplace and upholds organizational integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cherry Hill Mall, NJ, is achieved through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. Employers experience peace of mind knowing they are fulfilling legal obligations and minimizing risks associated with non-compliance. This method provides a robust defense mechanism against potential legal challenges, safeguarding the company's reputation.

Maintaining a safe workplace environment is paramount, and with hair testing, organizations reinforce their commitment to safety. It facilitates the fostering of a productive, compliant, and harmonious workplace safeguarded by thorough and accurate testing.

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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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