Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Midland Park, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair screening is now recognized as a valuable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, offering an extended historical record of substance use. When clipped near the scalp, hair can indicate alcohol and drug use for nearly a 3-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil's thickness) from near the scalp offers 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for evaluation and validation. For EtG, supplementary analyses, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. It's suggested to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If head hair isn't an option, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing for drug test results consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s database. This step ensures the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any further data input absent in an electronic custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid evaluation for illicit substances. While Screening efficiently rules out drug usage for most samples, a positive outcome requires further validation for legal admissibility. All samples flagged as potentially positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage isolates drugs from hair at much lower levels than other methods (like urine or saliva testing), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Verification of any positive outcome from Screening employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. Before confirmation, all potential positive samples are cleaned as needed. The comprehensive lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug screening:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can trace substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection time.
• Resistance to tampering: It's notably hard to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring greater accuracy.
• Historical insight: It provides a visualization of drug use patterns over time, rather than only recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Incapacity to detect recent consumption: It typically requires 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug screening options.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Midland Park, NJ
Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy. This makes them invaluable in identifying drug use with results that are both precise and reliable.

Employers often choose hair testing for its extended detection period. This method surpasses urine tests, offering a detailed history of substance use, which is critical for maintaining workplace safety in Midland Park, NJ.

The observed collection process in hair testing reduces tampering risks significantly, further highlighting its advantages over urine tests, which can be more susceptible to manipulation.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Midland Park, NJ
Hair follicle tests can trace drug usage up to 90 days back, allowing employers a wide view into an individual's substance use history. This extended detection window is unmatched by other testing methods.

This technique provides Midland Park, NJ employers with peace of mind, offering comprehensive insights into a candidate's or employee's past behaviors, ensuring informed hiring or retention decisions.

Testing over a more extended period means hair tests can reveal patterns that other methods, like urine tests, might miss. This thoroughness is crucial for employers aiming for a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Midland Park, NJ
Hair follicle tests are inherently tamper-resistant. Their collection process is less prone to external influences, ensuring the integrity of the sample is maintained.

With stringent procedures, hair tests provide credible and irrefutable results. This makes them ideal for legal, professional, and personal scenarios in Midland Park, NJ, where trust in the test result is paramount.

Employers benefit from this reliability, as hair testing minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, which can be a common issue with other drug testing methods like urine tests.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Midland Park, NJ
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to nationwide centers, including Midland Park, NJ, allowing clients to schedule tests at locations that suit them best.

With our widespread network, individuals and businesses alike experience hassle-free access to trusted testing services. This accessibility makes urgent testing requirements easy to fulfill without stress.

Our local presence in Midland Park, NJ, ensures that clients receive personalized service and support, enhancing the overall testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Midland Park, NJ
Ordering a hair follicle test is straightforward. Our process addresses the need for confidentiality and simplicity, ensuring clients feel secure regarding their privacy in Midland Park, NJ.

With discreet handling and straightforward instructions, taking a test is made easy. Clients can trust that their samples and results are managed with the utmost care and confidentiality.

The entire process, from scheduling to receiving results, is designed to be seamless, providing peace of mind for users who prioritize privacy and efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Midland Park, NJ
Our competitive pricing structure ensures that hair follicle testing is an option for all company sizes, providing excellent value in Midland Park, NJ.

Timely results are crucial, and our rapid turnaround times ensure minimal waiting periods, giving clients quick access to the information they need to make informed decisions.

Affordable hair testing allows for broader implementation across various industries, making it a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Midland Park, NJ
Hair follicle drug tests offer rapid and precise results. Their high accuracy ensures that substance use detection is both dependable and effective, making them a top choice for those seeking reliable testing methods.

Enhanced by cutting-edge technology, hair testing in Midland Park, NJ, offers a swift turnaround. This helps individuals and employers obtain test results without unnecessary delays, ensuring decisions can be made promptly.

Accuracy of hair follicle tests is paramount. In Midland Park, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing ensures tests are performed by experts, reducing chances of error and guaranteeing results that can be trusted.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Midland Park, NJ
Hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free policies, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations while reducing potential legal complications.

By choosing hair tests, Midland Park, NJ businesses create a safer work environment. This practice diminishes the risks associated with workplace accidents related to substance abuse.

This testing method provides employers with peace of mind, knowing they are minimizing liabilities and fostering a productive, drug-free workforce.

Drug Testing Near Midland Park, NJ

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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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