Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Freedom, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. This method offers an extended-term record of substance use, as the growing hair fibers ensnare biomarkers. When samples are taken close to the scalp, they can reveal alcohol and drug usage up to an estimated 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily altered, and can be readily transported.

A 1.5-inch length of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields about 100mg, which is an optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It is beneficial to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If the person is lacking scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is permissible. When mentioning head hair, it pertains strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of obtaining a drug test result in a lab encompasses four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step which involves incorporating the sample into the lab’s system. This comprises confirming the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any other data that isn’t supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary analysis to rapidly identify potential drug abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient measure to dismiss drug use in most samples, a confirmed result is necessary for legal proceedings. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the specimen is extracted and prepared for further analysis. During Extraction, drugs are sourced from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing notably challenging.

Confirmation of screening outcomes that indicate positivity is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo a wash as needed. Each phase from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Considerable benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing identifies drug use extending up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which offer a shorter timeframe.
• Challenging to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is highly unlikely, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Yields historical insights: Provides a comprehensive pattern of drug use over an interval, rather than only recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs are observable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite the common reference as "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Mount Freedom, NJ, hair follicle testing clearly outperforms urine tests in several aspects. The superior detection accuracy of hair testing offers more reliable insights into substance use. While traditional urine tests provide a shorter detection window, hair tests ensure a broader timeframe, enhancing dependability.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Mount Freedom, NJ allows the identification of drug use up to 90 days. This benefits employers by offering a thorough overview of a person's substance history, which is instrumental for making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Utilizing tamper-resistant methods, hair follicle tests in Mount Freedom, NJ significantly minimize sample adulteration risks. This ensures that test results remain trustworthy and clear, eliminating doubts about their authenticity and reinforcing their reliability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With extensive nationwide testing centers, including those in Mount Freedom, NJ, convenience is prioritized. Quick and seamless access to hair follicle testing services guarantees that testing is a straightforward process, eliminating any logistical challenges.

Simple, Confidential Process

The straightforward and confidential approach to hair follicle testing in Mount Freedom, NJ eases privacy concerns. The process from ordering to obtaining results is smooth, prioritizing user privacy while ensuring efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Mount Freedom, NJ provides competitive and affordable pricing for hair follicle testing, coupled with swift turnaround times. This combination of cost-efficiency and prompt service offers substantial value, catering to enterprises of varied scales.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Mount Freedom, NJ is home to rapid and precise hair follicle drug testing results. The accuracy level of these tests is notable, ensuring correct identification of substance use. Speed coupled with precision provides both employers and individuals reliable outcomes, reassuring them of their testing decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Mount Freedom, NJ find compliance assurance with hair follicle testing. It maintains adherence to drug-free workplace policies, substantially reducing legal liabilities and promoting a secure work environment through vigilant substance monitoring.

Drug Testing Near Mount Freedom, NJ

Morristown, NJ

Morris Plains, NJ

Succasunna-Kenvil, NJ

Succasunna, NJ

Wharton, NJ

Kenvil, NJ

Dover, NJ

Ralston, NJ

Mine Hill, NJ

Victory Gardens, NJ

Ironia, NJ

Mount Fern, NJ

Brookside, NJ

Mendham, NJ

Mill Brook, 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