Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Royal, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, it can provide a detection window of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is an optimal quantity for testing and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests over 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, the same quantity of body hair is accepted. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in processing a drug test laboratory result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial handling of a specimen into a lab’s system. This procedure verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any other data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Even though Screening presents a cost-efficient means to negate drug use for most samples, only a confirmed positive screen holds in legal settings. Samples with a tentative positive in Screening mandate further confirmation.

Should a sample show a tentative positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing the complexity of hair drug screening.

Positive Screening outcomes undergo Confirmation through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positives are cleansed before Confirmation if necessary. The whole laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited in regard to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests for drugs can identify usage for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with a much shorter window.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It gives a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent ingestion.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Detection of drugs in hair typically requires 5-7 days
• Expenses: Compared to other drug testing techniques, hair tests usually incur more costs.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair pigmentation and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand and excludes the hair root under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Mount Royal, NJ
When comparing drug testing methods, hair follicle testing offers heightened sensitivity and accuracy over urine tests. In Mount Royal, NJ, the superior detection capabilities of hair tests allow for a profound reliability that surpasses traditional urine methodologies. Their ability to detect long-term substance use forms the backbone of their preference among industries insisting on stringent testing protocols.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mount Royal, NJ
The hair follicle drug test allows companies to examine substance use over an extended duration, reaching up to 90 days. In Mount Royal, NJ, this extended window gives employers a detailed perspective of an individual's drug history, going beyond immediate consumption and providing insights into patterns of use, ultimately aiding in informed decision-making regarding potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Resistant Hair Follicle Testing in Mount Royal, NJ
The integrity of the hair follicle test lies in its tamper-proof nature. In Mount Royal, NJ, these tests minimize the chances of sample adulteration, offering results that are inherently reliable and unquestioned. This resilience against manipulation ensures confidence among employers and legal authorities, who depend on authentic drug testing for critical evaluations and assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient and Nation-wide Testing Facilities in Mount Royal, NJ
With easy access to numerous testing centers, both in Mount Royal, NJ, and across the nation, getting tested is a hassle-free experience. Our widespread presence ensures that individuals and employers can conveniently access testing services, facilitating a seamless process from initiation to conclusion, without the stress of logistical hindrances.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Confidential Process in Mount Royal, NJ
The process of undergoing a hair follicle test is straightforward and private. In Mount Royal, NJ, clients can effortlessly order, partake, and receive results in a manner that safeguards their privacy. This user-friendly approach addresses privacy concerns, ensuring that every step is handled with the utmost confidentiality and ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Swift Results in Mount Royal, NJ
Our pricing model in Mount Royal, NJ, is designed to offer affordability without compromising on quality or speed. With fast turnaround times, companies—regardless of size—benefit from valuable and efficient testing, ensuring that drug screening remains economically feasible while still delivering prompt and reliable outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Quick, Accurate, and Trustworthy Outcomes in Mount Royal, NJ
In Mount Royal, NJ, our hair follicle tests stand out due to their exceptional precision and rapid turnaround. They boast high reliability in detecting substance use, establishing them as an essential tool for accurate drug testing. Within a short span, these tests produce results that are both fast and precise, catering to the dynamic demands of various institutions requiring trustworthy data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Employer Assurance in Mount Royal, NJ
For employers in Mount Royal, NJ, utilizing hair follicle testing is a strategy to comply with workplace drug policies, significantly reducing legal liabilities. By ensuring a drug-free environment, companies enhance safety and foster a culture of trust and reliability, ultimately reinforcing their reputation as responsible and secure workplaces.

Drug Testing Near Mount Royal, NJ

Repaupo, NJ

Sewell, NJ

New Sharon, NJ

Barnsboro, NJ

National Park, NJ

Mantua, NJ

Woodbury, NJ

Gibbstown, NJ

Wenonah, NJ

Woodbury Heights, NJ

Paulsboro, NJ

Oak Valley, NJ

Thorofare, NJ

Mickleton, NJ

Clarksboro, 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