Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edgewater Park, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair encapsulates a comprehensive record of alcohol and other substances by securing biomarkers within the growing hair strand. Collected from near the scalp, hair can offer up to an estimated 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair sampling is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent body hair quantity can be used. Head hair strictly refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing at the laboratory involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial sample processing into the lab’s system, including confirming proper sample sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry if an electronic chain of custody system doesn’t provide it.

Screening is a preliminary fast check for drug abuse. While cost-effective to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that show presumptive positives in Screening need a secondary examination.

If a sample exhibits a presumptive positive during the Screening process, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Any positive Screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleaned prior to necessary confirmation. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter span.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is considerably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can indicate a drug use pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: There’s typically a 5-7 day period before drugs can be detected in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Edgewater Park, NJ

Hair follicle testing provides more robust benefits over traditional urine tests, with its extended detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, which only capture recent substance use, hair tests reveal a wider history of use, showcasing superior reliability and accuracy. This allows employers to make informed decisions based on comprehensive data.

Extended Detection Window

With up to a 90-day detection window, hair follicle testing offers a detailed look into substance use history in Edgewater Park, NJ. This extensive timeframe allows for a better understanding of an employee or applicant’s long-term behavior, aiding employers in making well-informed hiring or disciplinary decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Edgewater Park, NJ significantly mitigates risks of sample adulteration. This tamper-resistant method ensures the credibility of results, reducing the likelihood of manipulation. By maintaining stringent standards, these tests provide reliable and defensible outcomes, crucial for both legal and employment settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient nationwide and local testing locations, Accredited Drug Testing makes accessing hair follicle testing in Edgewater Park, NJ straightforward. Our extensive network ensures quick and hassle-free service, catering to both individual and corporate needs effectively and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Edgewater Park, NJ

Hair follicle testing ensures a straightforward and confidential process. From scheduling the test, collection, to receiving results, privacy concerns are addressed with utmost care, providing an uncomplicated experience for clients in Edgewater Park, NJ while maintaining confidentiality at each step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Edgewater Park, NJ

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Catering to companies of all sizes, our services deliver excellent value, combining cost efficiency with swift result delivery, allowing businesses peace of mind knowing they are supported by reliable services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Edgewater Park, NJ, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method excels in precision, swiftly detecting substance use, ensuring high accuracy. The process is designed for efficiency without compromising on detail, offering confidence in the results for both employers and individuals seeking to understand substance use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Edgewater Park, NJ, hair follicle testing assures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method not only helps reduce potential legal challenges but also fosters a safer work environment, promoting overall peace of mind and aligning with stringent corporate governance practices.

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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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