Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cranbury, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by incorporating biomarkers within the hair fiber as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal substance usage over a span of up to roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield a sample of 100mg, which is ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, specific add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't an option, a similar volume of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" indicates only scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The testing process in a lab involves four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is introduced into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry that's missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for illicit substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug consumption for most samples, a positive result from the screening stage must be verified for it to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that test positive need a follow-up confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positive results during Screening, more hair is obtained from the original sample and readied for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a more intricate procedure.

Positive results in Screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples marked presumptive positive are washed as needed. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Difficult to circumvent: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical insights: It can outline a history of drug use over a duration of time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It requires about 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Cost implications: Hair drug tests usually come at a higher cost than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out in Cranbury, NJ, by offering a more accurate and reliable drug detection method compared to urine tests. One significant advantage is its ability to detect drugs over a longer period, making it superior for employers needing extensive substance histories. The hair test's accuracy and tamper-proof nature provide unmatched reliability, making it the preferred choice for many.

Extended Detection Window

For comprehensive substance screening, hair follicle tests in Cranbury, NJ offer an extended detection window, up to 90 days. This longer timeframe allows employers to gain a full understanding of an individual’s substance use history. In contrast to urine tests, which have a shorter detection period, hair tests can reveal consistent patterns of use, offering valuable insights into an applicant or employee's behavior over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Cranbury, NJ offers an advantage by being highly tamper-resistant. The method virtually eliminates sample adulteration risks, ensuring accurate and trustworthy results. Unlike urine tests, which may be manipulated, hair tests are conducted under observation, providing an additional layer of security. This reliability makes hair follicle tests indispensable for organizations requiring definitive results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Cranbury, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide and local testing center access. This expansive network provides quick and hassle-free testing services, ensuring that individuals and companies can easily meet their testing needs. With centers available nationwide and locally, scheduling and completing tests become a streamlined process, greatly improving the user experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Cranbury, NJ is simple and guarantees confidentiality. The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, maintaining privacy at all stages. This transparent approach reassures users and employers about the security of their personal information, demonstrating a commitment to a respectful and discreet testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and quick processing in Cranbury, NJ, hair follicle drug testing provides exceptional value. Affordable pricing structures make this method accessible to businesses of all sizes. Coupled with fast turnaround, companies receive reliable results promptly, enhancing decision-making capabilities while maintaining cost-effectiveness, ensuring a high return on investment for their testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cranbury, NJ, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and dependable results. Their precision in detecting substances makes them a preferred choice. Quick processing ensures that results are returned swiftly, facilitating timely decision-making. Accuracy in identifying a range of substances further enhances their reliability, providing confidence in the outcomes of the tests conducted locally.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Cranbury, NJ provides employers peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free policies. This method significantly reduces the risk of litigation and enhances workplace safety. Implementing hair tests safeguards organizations against legal complications, reinforcing employee sobriety and compliance. The reliability of results aligns with zero-tolerance policies, offering increased workplace security.

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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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