Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lambertville, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-lasting record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a three-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair segment consisting of about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's size) close to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, the preferred specimen for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair is advisable. We suggest weighing the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair includes all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial swift examination for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be permissible in court. Any samples that are potentially positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample is tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction preparation. This phase involves removing drugs from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All potential positive samples are cleansed prior to needed confirmation. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is difficult, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a pattern of drug usage over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the assessment analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands as the preferred choice over urine tests in Lambertville, NJ due to its superior detection stability and reliability. Unlike urine tests prone to fleeting detection windows, hair tests uncover substance use over a more extended mockery, offering detailed intel on drug habits. This testing method caters to those demanding stringent zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle tests in Lambertville, NJ, provide insights into drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing other test types' limitations. This advantage is pivotal for employers requiring a thorough review of an individual's substance history. The longer span allows for comprehensive evaluations, crucial for roles demanding absolute trust in a drug-free ethic.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lambertville, NJ, the tamper-resistant advantage of hair follicle tests significantly diminishes risks tied to sample alteration. Unlike easily manipulated methods, hair samples offer robust safeguards, ensuring the integrity of test outcomes. Their reliability affords unquestionable confidence, assuring that test results truly reflect an individual's actions, untainted by deceit.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our expansive network of testing centers, including local options in Lambertville, NJ, ensures unmatched convenience and accessibility. With testing facilities stationed nationwide, individuals can access drug screening services with ease and immediate availability. This network means fast, hassle-free appointments where and when needed, ensuring seamless process varies.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for conducting hair follicle tests in Lambertville, NJ, is remarkably straightforward and discreet. From order to result, each phase is designed to protect participant privacy rigorously, simplifying the client experience. Emphasizing confidentiality, this process respects individual concerns about privacy and ease of access to test results.
The efficient progression ensures participants handle their test obligations with confidence and minimal stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We provide competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Lambertville, NJ, combined with expedient turnaround times. This commendable value for testing makes it an accessible choice for businesses of all scales. The affordability does not compromise on quality or speed, assuring clients of precise test results without financial strain.
Expeditious outcomes fortify strategic decisions, catering to workplace demands efficiently.
Companies value swift, reliable services that don't break the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficacy of hair follicle drug tests in Lambertville, NJ, lies in delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method's high precision is paramount when detecting substance use, outperforming traditional testing approaches. The collected hair sample reveals a comprehensive analysis, ensuring no detail is missed, and results are generated swiftly.
Timely drug test results benefit both the employer and the employee, facilitating informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Lambertville, NJ ensures compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind by minimizing legal risks. This test method boosts workplace safety steadily, instilling trust that every team member adheres to corporate regulations. The clarity and assurance it provides fortify employers' vigilance to maintain drug-free environments.

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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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