Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Concordia, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective tool for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the hair strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month period of drug and alcohol use. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is convenient.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is advised. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This step involves confirming proper sample sealing and shipping, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for substance abuse. While cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for legal admissibility. For samples presuming positive during Screening, further confirmation is necessary.

In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for further processing. In Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples that test presumptively positive are washed as necessary before confirmation. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days back, unlike the shorter window of urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Shows historical usage: It presents a timeline of drug use, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs need around 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests," these tests measure the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Concordia, NJ
The benefits of hair testing clearly outweigh those of traditional urine tests. Hair follicle tests demonstrate superior detection accuracy, offering a reliable means to identify prolonged substance use, thereby securing a trustworthy method compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Concordia, NJ
Hair follicle testing allows for the detection of drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This broad detection window is invaluable for employers seeking to assess long-term substance usage patterns, providing a holistic view of an individual’s drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Concordia, NJ
Hair follicle tests drastically lower the possibility of sample adulteration. The method ensures accurate and reliable results by safeguarding the integrity of the testing process, providing employers with unassailable evidence of substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Concordia, NJ
Our widespread network of testing centers provides convenience via accessible locations nationwide, facilitating swift and stress-free testing processes, benefiting individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Concordia, NJ
The straightforward and private process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results emphasizes user privacy and simplicity, making it a non-intrusive option for those concerned about confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Concordia, NJ
We offer competitive pricing structures alongside quick turnaround times, delivering outstanding value and assurance for businesses, large or small, ensuring financial accessibility without sacrificing promptness or accuracy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Concordia, NJ
Hair follicle drug tests excel in precision and speed, offering highly accurate detection of substance use. The advanced technology used ensures quick processing times without compromising on accuracy, providing reliable results that employers trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Concordia, NJ
Utilizing hair follicle testing solidifies adherence to drug-free workplace policies, affording employers reduced legal exposure and augmented safety. This compliance offers significant reassurance to businesses, enhancing organizational integrity.

Drug Testing Near Concordia, NJ

Manalapan, NJ

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Princeton Meadows, NJ

Etra, NJ

Dayton, NJ

Yorketown, NJ

Hightstown, NJ

Helmetta, NJ

Englishtown, NJ

Twin Rivers, NJ

Cranbury, NJ

Jamesburg, NJ

Rossmoor, NJ

Prospect Plains, NJ

Clearbrook Park, 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.

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