Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Trenton Heights, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the hair strands, hair provides an extended historical record of alcohol and drug use. When hair is cut near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol presence for a period of about three months. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands — roughly equal to a #2 pencil's diameter — near the scalp will amount to roughly 100mg, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, or tests surpassing 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We advise using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically means hair from the scalp, while "body hair" covers all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The essential steps in processing a drug test in a lab setting include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where a sample is formally taken into a lab's system. This process includes verifying that the sample is properly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and any additional data entry that is required beyond what is provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary and rapid assessment for narcotics. While it is an economical means to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to be legally accepted. Samples that are presumptive positives at this stage always require further confirmation.

Should the Screening step indicate a presumptive positive, more hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are drawn out from hair at a significantly lower level than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening highly complex.

Confirmation of a positive result from Screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Any samples that return a presumptive positive undergo a washing process before confirmation if needed. The full lab examination process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Cheating is difficult: Hair drug tests are hard to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical use information: It delivers a record of drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing options.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests," these examinations analyze the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Combining superior detection accuracy, hair follicle testing is favored in East Trenton Heights, NJ over urine tests. Unlike urine, hair provides a much longer detection window, effectively revealing patterns of substance use over time. The innovative edge of hair testing lies in its analytical precision, offering higher reliability and making it a robust choice for organizations.

Hair testing's immunity to common tampering methods positions it ahead of urine tests. It's an observed process, nearly eliminating the chance of sample adulteration. This reliability is crucial for entities enforcing drug policies, ensuring trustworthy results and adherence to safety standards.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in East Trenton Heights, NJ offers an in-depth view into an individual's substance use history. This comprehensive analysis is particularly beneficial for employers seeking to understand long-term behavior beyond recent drug activity.

The ability to detect drug use over such an extended period makes hair testing an invaluable tool. Employers benefit from the insights gained, allowing them to assess an employee's or applicant's lifestyle choices with a broader perspective, aiding significant hiring and disciplinary decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

East Trenton Heights, NJ acknowledges hair follicle testing's resistance to tampering, a feature that ensures reliable and authentic results. Unlike other testing methods, hair testing involves an observed collection process that virtually eliminates the risk of adulteration or substitution.

This robust testing method provides businesses with peace of mind, knowing that the results are as accurate and genuine as possible. It's nearly impossible to cheat, thus instilling confidence in both employers and employees about the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to testing services in East Trenton Heights, NJ, and nationwide. With numerous centers available, individuals and businesses can easily schedule and complete testing without hassle, ensuring quick and efficient services.

Our local and nationwide locations simplify testing processes, enhancing customer experience and satisfaction. Whether you require hair follicle testing in East Trenton Heights or elsewhere, expect seamless service access across all our centers.

Simple, Confidential Process

In East Trenton Heights, NJ, hair follicle testing offers a straightforward and private process. From scheduling to results, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that every step is confidential, addressing any privacy concerns clients may have for peace of mind.

This simple process guarantees ease of use, as individuals can confidently navigate through testing protocols. Ensuring discretion and ease, we provide a client-focused service, emphasizing confidentiality and simplicity throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In East Trenton Heights, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing stands out with competitive pricing options and rapid turnaround times. These affordabilities combined with quick results offer excellent value for organizations, regardless of size, allowing them to maintain budgetary constraints without compromising quality.

Fast and efficient, the combination of affordability and swift service ensures organizations can manage their testing strategies economically while reaping the benefits of thorough and reliable testing practices.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In East Trenton Heights, NJ, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests stand out. These tests provide highly accurate results, efficiently detecting substance use. Their capacity to swiftly deliver information ensures employers can make informed decisions with confidence. Hair testing's accuracy is crucial in maintaining safe and compliant workplaces.

Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled reliability. The meticulous process ensures that results are consistent and dependable. This accuracy is vital in environments where the safety of employees and the integrity of company guidelines are paramount. By using hair testing, businesses can trust the information provided.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In East Trenton Heights, NJ, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies. By employing this method, employers mitigate legal risks and bolster safety, protecting the firm from potential liabilities associated with workplace substance abuse incidents.

This comprehensive testing approach enhances peace of mind for employers, ensuring that the workforce remains compliant with statutory and company-specific safety regulations. Businesses gain a competitive edge by safeguarding their environment and promoting a drug-free culture.

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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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