Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kresson, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has evolved into a significant means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug presence by ensnaring biomarkers within the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can present up to about a 3-month timeframe for alcohol and drug detection. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

An ideal 1.5-inch hair sample with roughly 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil) taken nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, perfect for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or beyond 10-panel tests, 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent portion of body hair could be used. Referring to head hair means only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning covers the initial sample intake into a lab’s workflow. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial, efficient evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drug traces are drawn from hair at lower concentrations than seen in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Positive screening confirmations are done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter time limit.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair tests resist cheating, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Delivers historical record: It can outline a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing typically costs more than other drug testing options.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Kresson, NJ

Hair testing in Kresson, NJ, offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. It provides superior detection accuracy, with a longer detection window and higher reliability. This makes it a more effective choice for those in need of comprehensive drug use insights.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Kresson, NJ

Hair follicle testing in Kresson is prized for its extended detection period, often up to 90 days. This allows employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, offering a more comprehensive view compared to other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kresson, NJ

The integrity of hair follicle testing in Kresson is unmatched. By minimizing sample tampering risks, it ensures accurate and unquestionable results, providing peace of mind to all parties involved in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Kresson, NJ

With ample testing facilities across the nation and Kresson, convenience is guaranteed. Our widespread locations ensure a quick, simple, and stress-free testing experience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Kresson, NJ

The process for hair testing in Kresson is straightforward and discreet. From ordering to result delivery, we prioritize your privacy and convenience, ensuring a seamless and confidential experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kresson, NJ

We offer competitive pricing on hair drug testing in Kresson. Our fast turnaround times and cost-effective structures deliver excellent value, meeting the needs of businesses regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Kresson, NJ

In Kresson, hair drug testing offers unparalleled speed and precision. Its high accuracy ensures reliable detection of substances. By utilizing advanced methods, it delivers swift results, making it the preferred choice for those requiring fast and dependable drug testing services.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kresson, NJ

Hair follicle testing in Kresson helps employers maintain drug-free workplaces. It minimizes legal risks, ensures policy compliance, and enhances overall safety, offering a sense of security for businesses of every size.

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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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