Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jefferson, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a lengthy record of these substances by holding biomarkers in the strands as the hair grows. When cut close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a 90-day detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. Head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair. Meanwhile, body hair includes all other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial swift assessment for illicit drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive finding warrants confirmation to be valid in court. Samples that are presumably positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a specimen is seemingly positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and then readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other means (such as urine or oral fluid), which accounts for why hair drug screening is the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if needed. The full laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests which have a brief detection timeframe.
• Difficult to deceive: It is notably challenging to manipulate a hair drug examination, enhancing accuracy.
• Delivers historical information: It traces a pattern of drug usage over a duration rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result discrepancies: Attributes like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can alter drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Despite being commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the process analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In the realm of drug detection, hair follicle testing in Jefferson, NJ, outperforms traditional urine tests. This is due to its higher accuracy in identifying drug use over an extended period. Unlike urine tests that may only detect drug use in recent days, hair tests offer a comprehensive view dating back up to 90 days, proving more reliable for employers aiming for stringent drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing in Jefferson, NJ, is its extended detection window. This method allows for the identification of drug use up to 90 days prior, providing employers with a fuller picture of an individual's substance use history. Such a comprehensive view helps businesses make informed decisions about potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Jefferson, NJ, significantly minimizes the chance of sample tampering or adulteration. Its collection process makes it challenging for individuals to tamper with hair samples, ensuring that results are both trustworthy and conclusive. This makes hair testing an ideal choice for businesses seeking accurate drug testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers spread across the nation, including Jefferson, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing facilitates straightforward and convenient access to drug testing services. This extensive network guarantees ease of testing, making it simple for individuals to find a nearby location without hassle, ensuring quick service when needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Jefferson, NJ, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy and ease concerns. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure is designed to be as stress-free as possible, assuring individuals that their privacy is well-protected throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers attractive pricing models and fast turnaround times in Jefferson, NJ, making hair follicle testing affordable and efficient for businesses of all sizes. This combination of cost-effectiveness and rapid results provides companies with excellent value, easing budget concerns while ensuring timely information.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Jefferson, NJ, provides unparalleled precision and speed, quickly identifying drug use with impressive accuracy. The method excels at delivering reliable and swift outcomes, which is critical for businesses that demand timely insights into substance use among their workforce. With its high accuracy, organizations can trust the integrity and speed of results from hair follicle testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Jefferson, NJ, employing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, enhancing safety and reducing potential legal issues. This testing method supports a drug-free environment and provides reassurance that the company is protecting its interests and ensuring the safety and efficacy of its workforce.

Drug Testing Near Jefferson, NJ

Stockholm, NJ

Beach Glen, NJ

White Meadow Lake, NJ

Lake Mohawk, NJ

Ogdensburg, NJ

Sparta, NJ

Hibernia, NJ

Mount Hope, NJ

Oak Ridge, NJ

Marcella, NJ

Lake Telemark, NJ

Green Pond, NJ

Woodport, NJ

Hurdtown, NJ

Petersburg, 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