Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Golden Triangle, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. Collecting hair near the scalp allows for an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional panels, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is best to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When referring to head hair, we mean specifically scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for obtaining a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial system entry of a sample into a lab's database. This phase verifies correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any leftover data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening involves a preliminary swift detection check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to negate drug consumption in most cases, a positive screening requires confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples suspected of being positive in Screening need additional verification.

For samples that are suspected of being positive during the Screening phase, more hair is selected from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at notably reduced levels compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

Verification of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All screening-positive samples are cleansed before verification if required. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests provide a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It's extremely challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can display a timeline of drug consumption over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It generally takes between 5-7 days before substances become detectable in hair strands.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug screening techniques.
• Variability in outcome: Elements like hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers clear advantages over urine testing in Golden Triangle, NJ. This advanced method delivers better detection accuracy and reliability.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing identifies substance use spanning months, proving invaluable for employers seeking detailed insight into potential employees.

Employers and professionals benefit from the method's superior detection abilities, gaining a comprehensive understanding of substance use histories.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Golden Triangle, NJ, provides an extended lookout window up to 90 days, outpacing traditional methods.

Employers receive a detailed perspective on an individual's substance use, rather than the short-term findings a urine test offers.

This extensive detection period is crucial for employers aiming to understand an applicant's or worker's comprehensive drug use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Golden Triangle, NJ, the potential for altering or tampering with hair follicle tests is remarkably low.

The method significantly lowers the chances of sample adulteration, thus keeping the test results credible and unassailable.

Incorporating such a tamper-resistant measure enhances the dependability of testing processes, benefiting organizations and professionals alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing facilities nationwide, including local centers in Golden Triangle, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing provides accessible services.

Our widespread locations assure swift and hassle-free testing, catering to organizations in diverse U.S. locales.

The ease of reaching our centers is a distinct advantage for employers requiring immediate and routine testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Golden Triangle, NJ, is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy and usability concerns.

We prioritize a seamless experience for individuals and organizations, from test ordering to receiving results securely.

This ensures confidence in maintaining privacy and diminishes anxiety surrounding the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing provides cost-effective pricing and quick result times in Golden Triangle, NJ.

Our pricing structure appeals to companies of all sizes, delivering exceptional value alongside our prompt service.

Organizations benefit from affordable testing, enhancing peace of mind regarding their financial investment in workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Golden Triangle, NJ, hair follicle tests are lauded for providing fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. This method ensures a high level of precision in detecting substance use.

Employers and practitioners in the region appreciate the speed and meticulous nature of these tests, ensuring dependable results in detecting drug use. Such reliability enhances decision-making processes.

With unparalleled accuracy, hair follicle testing in Golden Triangle remains a preferred choice for identifying substance use effectively and promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Golden Triangle, NJ, find hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

This method diminishes legal risks, reinforcing workplace safety and extending peace of mind for organizational leaders.

Using such testing measures aligns with regulations, thus offering a tranquil compliance strategy while minimizing substance-related incidents.

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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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