Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Arlington, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of substance use by preserving biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can potentially provide up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) cut closest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. By "head hair," we specifically mean scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a specimen within a lab’s system, verifying correct sample sealing and packaging, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. Although cost-effective for ruling out drug usage for most samples, positive screens require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that are initially positive in Screening must proceed to secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests as presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair in significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or saliva), highlighting the challenge of hair drug testing.

Positive screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical usage record: They can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, as opposed to only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs generally become noticeable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: In Mount Arlington, NJ, hair tests surpass traditional urine tests with superior detection capability and accuracy. These tests provide reliable results over an extended period, ideal for employers seeking thorough screenings.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window: Hair follicle testing in Mount Arlington, NJ is unmatched in its ability to trace substances over 90 days. This broad window offers employers comprehensive insights into past drug use, aiding in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: In Mount Arlington, NJ, hair follicle tests are renowned for minimizing sample tampering risks, delivering dependable and irrefutable outcomes. This reliability is essential for maintaining test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: With numerous centers, including those in Mount Arlington, NJ, accessing our testing services is effortless, leaving no room for hassle and promoting peace of mind.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process: Experience straightforward, confidential drug testing in Mount Arlington, NJ. Our streamlined method from ordering to result reception ensures your privacy concerns are met with ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: In Mount Arlington, NJ, our competitive pricing and swift service ensure excellent value. We deliver quick, reliable results, catering to businesses of all scales.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results: In Mount Arlington, NJ, hair follicle drug tests offer unrivaled precision and speed, guaranteeing high accuracy in identifying substance traces. This modern detection method ensures quick results, making it a preferred choice for drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: By utilizing hair follicle testing in Mount Arlington, NJ, employers can adhere to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and bolstering safety.

Drug Testing Near Mount Arlington, NJ

Succasunna-Kenvil, NJ

Woodport, NJ

Mine Hill, NJ

Succasunna, NJ

Hurdtown, NJ

Wharton, NJ

Netcong, NJ

Kenvil, NJ

Roseville, NJ

Stanhope, NJ

Ledgewood, NJ

Landing, NJ

Hopatcong, NJ

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews