Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greentree, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of hair strands as they grow, hair retains a comprehensive record of substance use. When taken near the scalp, it can provide a detection timeline of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is convenient.

To conduct a screening and confirmation, acquire a 1.5-inch sample of nearly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp to yield 100mg, the optimal quantity. For EtG, add-ons, or tests over 10 panels, 150mg is preferred. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. Reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in lab processing for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for substances of misuse. Though Screening offers an economical method for ruling out drug use in most samples, confirmation is required for any positive result to hold up in legal settings. Samples that return a preliminary positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For samples with a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves removing drugs from hair at concentrations lower than those found in methods like urine or oral fluid testing, highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of positive results from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests track drug usage for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Supplies historical insight: It illustrates a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests have higher costs than alternative testing techniques.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Greentree, NJ, surpasses urine testing with superior detection accuracy and reliability. It provides a non-invasive method, capturing a more extended history of drug use. In comparison, traditional urine tests are limited by shorter detection periods. Hair tests effectively detect long-term exposure to substances, offering a clearer view of an individual’s drug use patterns, enhancing workplace safety and accountability.

Extended Detection Window

One of the major strengths of hair follicle testing in Greentree, NJ, is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This far surpasses urine tests, which typically have a shorter window of detection. For employers, this provides a more comprehensive outlook on the substance history of potential and current employees, which aids in crafting better-informed decisions in hiring and maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Greentree, NJ, significantly curtails the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring credible results. Unlike urine tests, which are susceptible to tampering, hair tests cannot be easily manipulated. This provides employers and legal authorities with trustworthy results, underpinning the integrity of the drug testing process. The resistance to tampering makes hair testing an invaluable choice for organizations maintaining strict drug-free policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations throughout Greentree, NJ, and nationwide. This extensive network ensures that individuals and employers can easily access testing services without significant delays or inconvenience. The availability of local centers simplifies the logistics of getting tested, making the process seamless and removing barriers that would otherwise hinder timely drug screening.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Greentree, NJ, is designed to be simple and confidential. From the moment you schedule an appointment to receiving results, the entire process prioritizes privacy and ease. Our procedures ensure minimal hassle while maintaining strict confidentiality, addressing any concerns about privacy breaches or invasive procedures, promoting peace of mind for individuals and organizations alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Greentree, NJ, our hair follicle testing services offer affordable pricing and rapid turnaround. This competitive edge makes it feasible for businesses of all sizes to opt for high-quality drug testing without exceeding their budgets. Quick result times further ensure that businesses can make informed decisions promptly, enhancing operational efficiency while maintaining compliance with workplace substance policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle drug testing in Greentree, NJ, ensures quick and reliable outcomes. These tests boast high precision levels in detecting substances, offering trustable results for both employers and individuals. With rapid lab processing, the timeframe to obtain results is minimized, providing convenience and ease. Such tests are invaluable for environments demanding utmost reliability in substance detection processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Greentree, NJ, employers gain peace of mind by enforcing drug-free policies using hair follicle testing. Not only does this ensure compliance with workplace regulations, but it also reduces legal risks associated with inaccurate or tampered tests. Employers benefit from a safer work environment with transparent and reliable drug testing methods, which fosters a culture of accountability and responsibility within the organization.

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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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