Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Freewood Acres, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair fiber during growth. When obtained near the scalp, it can offer a detection span of up to roughly 3 months for both alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil's diameter) closest to the scalp yields the ideal sample size of 100mg for both screening and confirmation. For EtG or extended tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair categories (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample enters the lab’s system. This step entails confirming the sample’s seal and proper shipment, assigning it a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial drug abuse assessment. Although Screening offers a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in many samples, a positive result needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Positive screening results require additional verification.

For samples that screen positive, further hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at lower concentrations than seen in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.

To confirm positive screenings, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed. Necessary samples receive a wash before confirmation. The lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more accurate results.
• Historical pattern: It outlines a timeline of drug use, beyond recent occurrences.

Limitations:

• Ineffective for recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and growth rate differences impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Freewood Acres, NJ excels in surpassing traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability.

Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide an extended window of detection, which is particularly beneficial for employers implementing zero-tolerance policies.

The non-intrusive nature of hair testing also appeals to those wary of privacy issues typically associated with urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Freewood Acres, NJ benefit from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window of up to 90 days, helping them understand an employee's substance use history comprehensively.

This long detection period surpasses the capabilities of urine tests, offering a thorough insight into habitual behaviors rather than short-term usage.

Employers ensure a safer workplace by detecting patterns of behavioral risk linked to substance use over a significant time span.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Freewood Acres, NJ reduces the risk of adulteration, ensuring reliable and accurate test results.

This testing method makes it extremely difficult to manipulate samples, in contrast to the vulnerabilities of urine tests.

By using hair testing, organizations can maintain the integrity of their drug testing programs, providing clarity and verifiable results to stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is a major benefit with nationwide testing locations, including facilities in Freewood Acres, NJ, for quick and accessible drug testing services.

Our centers offer hassle-free solutions for businesses and individuals, ensuring timely and efficient testing at local or widespread locations.

With easy access to these testing sites, conducting a hair test becomes a seamless experience for all concerned parties.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle drug testing in Freewood Acres, NJ is both simple and confidential, addressing concerns about privacy and user-friendliness.

From ordering to receiving results, our procedure prioritizes client discretion, minimizing complexities.

With straightforward steps and a focus on confidentiality, we ensure that individuals and businesses can conduct tests without unnecessary stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Freewood Acres, NJ offers affordable hair follicle testing services that promise fast turnaround times, catering to businesses of all sizes.

Our competitive pricing structures provide excellent value, making reliable substance testing accessible while maintaining high standards.

With a focus on economy and efficiency, companies benefit from using our testing solutions to meet their compliance and safety needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Freewood Acres, NJ, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their high precision makes them a preferred choice for substance detection over traditional methods.

Employers value the speed and thoroughness of these tests, as they quickly confirm or rule out substance use, ensuring a drug-free work environment.

With hair follicle testing, the assurance of accuracy gives peace of mind to those relying on these tests for critical decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Freewood Acres, NJ gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies.

By using hair tests, companies reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety, knowing they are deploying a stringent method for substance testing.

This comprehensive testing strategy aligns with regulatory standards, supporting a healthier and more secure working environment.

Drug Testing Near Freewood Acres, NJ

Smithburg, NJ

West Freehold, NJ

Ramtown, NJ

Collingwood Park, NJ

Quinton, NJ

Jacksons Mills, NJ

Lakewood, NJ

Vista Center, NJ

Jerseyville, NJ

Bennetts Mills, NJ

Lower Squankum, NJ

Adelphia, NJ

Farmingdale, NJ

Southard, NJ

Land of Pines, NJ

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews