Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Masonville, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair assessment is recognized as a significant asset for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair showcases a protracted history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they develop. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers a detection span up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, difficult to alter, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp delivers 100mg, the ideal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It’s recommended to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair; "body hair" encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary.

Procedure Summary

The laboratory process for a drug test result involves four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and sent, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry absent in an electronic custody system.

Screening provides an initial, swift evaluation for drug presence. While it's a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use on most samples, any positive findings require confirmation for court validity. All samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require a subsequent verification.

When Screening suggests a positive result, extra hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair in lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), signifying that hair drug screening is among the most challenging procedures.

For confirming any positive findings from Screening, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS is utilized. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before the confirmation when needed. The full lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specific and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.

Benefits of hair drug screening:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use as far back as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a considerably shorter period.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is nearly impossible, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers usage timeline: It illustrates drug use patterns over time, not just the latest use.

Constraints:

• Can't detect recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug screenings are often pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences may impact the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle tests to urine tests in Masonville, NJ, the former reigns supreme in accuracy and dependability. Hair testing uncovers drug use over a prolonged timeframe, surpassing the limited detection window of urine tests. This extensive overview is vital for employers, far surpassing the capabilities of conventional urine tests, making it a preferred choice for those seeking definitive results.
Reliable and comprehensive, it's the superior option.

Extended Detection Window

In Masonville, NJ, hair follicle tests stand out with their extended detection window, tracing drug use over a 90-day period. This capability grants employers an all-encompassing view into the substance use history of applicants or employees, unmatched by other testing methods. Such foresight is key to informed decision-making, offering clarity and assurance about potential hires.
Thorough and reliable, it's a foremost choice for monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Masonville, NJ, provide a largely tamper-resistant method of drug testing. Their design minimizes the chances of adulteration, ensuring results are trustworthy and impeccable. For those concerned about test integrity, hair testing offers an unmatched level of security, guaranteeing that outcomes are positively genuine and unaltered by external influences.
This reliability is vital in any robust testing program.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For residents of Masonville, NJ, and beyond, our nationwide network of testing facilities ensures straightforward access to services. Our local and national presence means testing is not only convenient but also streamlined and accessible, removing barriers to compliance. This widespread availability ensures that every client receives timely, needed services without hassle or unnecessary delay.
Our reach is both local and expansive.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Masonville, NJ, is notably simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to respect privacy while ensuring ease of use. Individuals can trust that their data remains protected throughout the process, while still benefiting from a straightforward testing experience that prioritizes user comfort.
Efficiency and discretion define every phase.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Masonville, NJ, affordable prices and rapid results characterize our hair follicle drugs testing. Our pricing is structured to provide exceptional value, regardless of company size, while ensuring swift turnaround times so that decision-making doesn't face delays. This combination makes our services a top choice for those seeking quality and fiscal responsibility.
Competitive yet dependable, we offer unmatched service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Masonville, NJ, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, precise, and dependable results. Efficiency is paramount, with these tests rapidly detecting substance usage with high accuracy. The advanced methods employed ensure results reflect any consumption accurately, giving confidence in their authenticity for various stakeholders reliant on trusted analysis.
Quick response times make this process smooth for all involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Masonville, NJ, gain compliance and tranquility with hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free workplace policies. This form of testing curbs legal risks while bolstering workplace safety, fostering a harmonious work environment. By choosing hair testing, employers enjoy peace of mind knowing that they are implementing a highly effective safety measure with dependable outcomes.
Ensuring compliance is effortless and beneficial.

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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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