Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Corbin City, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands provide a comprehensive history of substances by capturing biomarkers within their fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

To perform adequate screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) situated nearest the scalp is required, yielding 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair is permissible. "Head hair" pertains strictly to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair categories (such as facial and underarm hair).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning begins with the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This phase includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry if not provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary check for drug use. While this is an economical way to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If Screening results are presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a concentration significantly lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation, if needed. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to falsification: Hair drug testing is extremely difficult to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Comprehensive use data: Provides a drug use pattern over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves evaluating the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair Follicle vs. Urine Testing in Corbin City, NJ
When comparing hair follicle tests with traditional urine methods, the benefits become apparent. Hair tests offer superior detection capabilities, capturing a more comprehensive picture of an individual's substance history. They are less prone to tampering and produce consistent results, establishing them as a more reliable option for thorough substance screening.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Corbin City, NJ
One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, often up to 90 days. This prolonged detection window provides a more complete view of an individual's substance use patterns, aiding employers in making informed decisions regarding potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Corbin City, NJ
Hair follicle tests are renowned for their resistance to tampering. Unlike other testing methods, these tests substantially reduce the risk of sample adulteration. This tamper-proof nature ensures the results are reliable and trustworthy, crucial for maintaining the integrity of drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Corbin City, NJ
Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers makes access to drug testing services effortless and convenient. Whether you're in Corbin City, NJ, or elsewhere, rest assured that our facilities are strategically located for quick, hassle-free testing appointments.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Corbin City, NJ
Ordering, conducting, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests is a straightforward and confidential experience. Privacy is prioritized, ensuring that all involved parties can engage with the testing process securely and conveniently, all while maintaining necessary discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Corbin City, NJ
Competitive pricing structures combined with swift turnaround times make our hair follicle testing services a cost-effective choice for companies of every size. This not only provides fiscal benefits but also supports efficient decision-making within your organization.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Corbin City, NJ
Hair follicle drug testing delivers precision and speed that surpass ordinary screening methods. Hair tests are adept at accurately detecting substance use, making them a top choice in ensuring the results are reliable. This swift methodology plays a pivotal role in corporate and legal contexts, where time and accuracy matter intensely.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Corbin City, NJ
Employers leveraging hair follicle testing can rest easy knowing they comply with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces legal risks but also elevates workplace safety by ensuring that substance use is effectively monitored and managed.

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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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