Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Crosswicks, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands contain a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair’s growing fibers. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can indicate alcohol and drug use over approximately a three-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for assessments and confirmations. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It’s advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be harvested, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, it solely refers to scalp hair. Meanwhile, body hair means all other categories of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning focuses on the initial intake of a sample into the lab’s system. This step confirms that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for presence of drugs. Whereas Screening is a cost-efficient method to negate drug use in a large number of samples, a positive screen mandates further confirmation to be permissible in legal settings. Samples with preliminary positive results in Screening necessitate a confirmation step.

If the Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction step. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than through other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.

Any positive findings from screening undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny 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 trace drug use for as long as 90 days, which surpasses the shorter detection periods in urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a chronology of drug intake over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth disparities can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Crosswicks, NJ, hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its heightened detection accuracy. Hair tests offer a broader assessment of substance use, capturing a more comprehensive timeline of drug activity. While urine tests may only detect recent use, hair testing provides a complete perspective. This makes it a preferred choice for those requiring thorough and reliable testing protocols.

Extended Detection Window

Through hair follicle testing in Crosswicks, NJ, employers benefit from an extended detection window that spans up to 90 days. This method offers a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use history, allowing decision-makers to evaluate long-term patterns rather than just recent exposure. Employers gain a deeper understanding of an applicant or staff member’s drug use, supporting a safer workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Crosswicks, NJ, provides a tamper-resistant solution for substance screening. It is notably difficult to adulterate or disguise, unlike other testing methods. This secure approach ensures the authenticity of samples, resulting in trustworthy and unquestionable outcomes that stakeholders can confidently base decisions on.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Crosswicks, NJ, our testing centers provide a convenient and widespread network across the nation, including local facilities. This ensures participants can access our services quickly and easily, sidestepping potential hurdles. We focus on hassle-free experiences, streamlining the testing process from appointment scheduling to result collection.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Crosswicks, NJ, we maintain a simple and confidential procedure for ordering and conducting hair follicle tests. From the moment an order is placed to receiving the test results, we prioritize privacy and ease of use. This assures clients that their personal information remains protected while benefiting from an efficient and straightforward process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer affordable pricing on hair follicle tests in Crosswicks, NJ, accompanied by fast turnaround times. Our competitive rates provide significant value, ensuring companies of varied sizes can sustain their commitment to a drug-free workplace without excessive cost. Quick result delivery also contributes to peace of mind and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Crosswicks, NJ, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its precision and speed. The process delivers fast and accurate results, efficiently identifying substance use history. Its reliability is unmatched, minimizing false negatives and ensuring confidence in the findings. Swift processing means stakeholders gain timely insights, crucial for making informed decisions in various professional arenas.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Crosswicks, NJ, equips employers with strong compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Beyond compliance, this testing reduces legal risks and enhances overall safety within the organization. By endorsing sound screening practices, organizations assure employees and stakeholders of a dedication to a drug-free and secure 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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