Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jerseyville, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. By encapsulating biomarkers within the strands, hair offers an extended history of substance use. A sample gathered closely to the scalp can provide detection for up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, difficult to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Sampling 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. However, for EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a corresponding amount of body hair can be utilized. Head hair refers strictly to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

Drug test analysis in a laboratory involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry required when an electronic chain of custody system is not used.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient method to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Any samples that are tentatively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is utilized for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair in far lower concentrations than found in methods like urine or saliva, making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques to execute.

Confirmation of positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, any samples with presumptive positives are cleansed as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests track drug usage for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter timeframe of urine tests.
• Difficult to circumvent: A hair drug test is challenging to evade, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Provides chronological data: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely current use.

Limitations:

• Fails to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after usage.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing against urine tests in Jerseyville, NJ, the former stands out due to superior accuracy and reliability.
The hair test's ability to cover an extended detection window surpasses traditional methods, providing a clearer view of substance use.

• Longer detection period
• Reliable and nearly tamper-proof
• Superior accuracy for comprehensive assessment

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug testing offers an extended detection window, capturing substance use over a 90-day span. In Jerseyville, NJ, this extended period gives employers a comprehensive evaluation of employees' or applicants' past behaviors.
This method provides a detailed history, allowing for more informed hiring and personnel decisions.

Such insights are critical for implementing safe workplace practices and making educated staffing choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the key benefits of hair follicle tests in Jerseyville, NJ is their resistance to tampering. By requiring a physical collection of hair, attempts to adulterate or substitute samples are significantly minimized.
This reliability ensures that the results are trustworthy, removing doubts and providing accurate insights into an individual's substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing makes testing convenient in Jerseyville, NJ, with centers nationwide providing easy access.
Our facilities offer quick and hassle-free service, ensuring clients benefit from a streamlined, efficient process.

• Accessible nationwide
• Local ease of testing
• Timely and professional service

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Jerseyville, NJ is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, clients are assured of their privacy.
Users are guided seamlessly through the procedure, ensuring ease of use while maintaining the discretion they deserve.

Such measures not only protect personal information but also enhance user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle drug testing in Jerseyville, NJ offers excellent value.
Our services cater to companies of all sizes, promising both affordability and efficiency.

Businesses gain from quick, accurate results at cost-effective rates, ensuring budget-friendly yet thorough testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug testing process in Jerseyville, NJ is characterized by both precision and speed. By leveraging advanced technologies, these tests deliver highly accurate results for substance use detection.
The promptness ensures employers and individuals quickly obtain the necessary information, ultimately aiding in timely decision-making.

Its reliability comes from its unmatched accuracy, allowing a comprehensive review without delays.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Jerseyville, NJ, rendering legal issues minimal. Employers benefit from peace of mind, knowing that their testing methods reduce risks.
By adopting this reliable testing solution, workplaces not only enhance safety but also foster a culture of accountability and trust.

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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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