Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hampton, NJ

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a chronicle of long-term alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the growth strands of hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to approximately three months for both alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to contaminate, and convenient for shipping.

An ideal sample for examination and verification consists of a 1.5-inch length with around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, providing 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, the suggested amount is 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair denotes all other hair varieties (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory drug test result processing involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample within the laboratory’s framework, which encompasses verifying sample sealing and shipment accuracy, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing remaining data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid scrutiny for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-efficient method of excluding drug use for most samples, positive screening necessitates confirmation for court acceptance. Samples yielding presumptively positive results in Screening require additional confirmation.

Should a sample indicate positive results during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample for Extraction preparation. Herein, drugs are extracted from hair in lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging process to execute.

Positive screening confirmation is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Captures usage history: It offers a record of drug use patterns over time rather than solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Recent usage detection limitation: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to show detectability in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth variations may influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", this test assesses the hair strand itself rather than the scalp’s underlying hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hampton, NJ, hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine testing in several ways. Hair tests have a far longer detection window, offering a look back up to 90 days, whereas urine tests provide a much shorter timeframe.

The accuracy and reliability of hair follicle tests make them an attractive option for employers and courts. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis is much harder to manipulate, offering more dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug testing excels in providing an extended detection window, crucial for employers in Hampton, NJ concerned with current and past substance use. This method can identify drug usage up to 90 days prior, offering a complete view of an individual’s substance history.

This comprehensive detection ability aids employers in assessing ongoing behaviors rather than recent activity alone. When a complete history is necessary, hair testing is the optimal choice.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reliability in drug testing is enhanced by the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests. In Hampton, NJ, these tests significantly minimize the chances of sample tampering, offering unquestionable validity in results.

Unlike urine tests, which can be adulterated or substituted, hair samples remain a steadfast resource that reflects genuine substance exposure. This authenticity is crucial for compliance and safety.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing stands out for its convenient testing locations, available both nationwide and locally in Hampton, NJ. Residents have easy access to comprehensive testing without the hassle.

Our strategically placed centers ensure a seamless testing experience, providing residents and employers with wide-ranging accessibility to required services across cities and states.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Hampton, NJ is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns. The steps from ordering, sample collection to result retrieval prioritize user ease and discretion.

This approach ensures that individuals and organizations can undertake necessary testing smoothly, with clear emphasis on maintaining confidentiality and reducing complexities.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Hampton, NJ, hair follicle testing with Accredited Drug Testing is priced competitively, ensuring affordability across the board. Companies, regardless of size, find value in our affordable pricing and quick turnaround.

Not only is pricing structured to fit different budgets, but swift delivery of results further enhances the cost-efficiency, offering businesses dependable solutions without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results for residents of Hampton, NJ. This testing method is renowned for its high precision in detecting long-term substance use. Within a short time frame, these tests can provide comprehensive insights, making them a preferred choice for many.

In contrast to slower methodologies, hair follicle testing ensures rapid turnaround times while maintaining utmost accuracy. This efficiency is crucial for employers and individuals seeking prompt responses.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hampton, NJ benefit from hair follicle testing as it aligns with drug-free workplace policies. By integrating this testing method, they ensure compliance, lessen legal liability, and enhance workplace safety.

Peace of mind comes from knowing that this process not only complies with current regulations but also promotes a secure work environment, reflecting positively on organizational standards.

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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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