Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Bergen, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal a prolonged history of substance use by integrating biomarkers into the strands of growing hair. When sourced close to the scalp, it can offer up to a roughly 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting it is straightforward, it's relatively tamper-proof, and easy to mail.

A sample of about 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp, can yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for tests and confirmations. For EtG or additional tests beyond a 10-panel, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When specifying head hair, we mean scalp hair solely, whereas body hair signifies all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system. This phase includes checking if the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any further data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not provide.

Screening entails an initial, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient strategy to discount drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive during Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. At this juncture, substances are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral swabs), rendering hair drug testing one of the most complex procedures.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which feature a shorter detection duration.
• Resistant to cheating: It's exceptionally challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals drug use patterns over time, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs require about 5-7 days post-use to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can sway the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Trumps Urine Testing in North Bergen, NJ lies in the superior detection accuracy of hair sampling. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle analysis detects long-term substance habits, providing a broader scope of use. Hair testing is particularly suited for employers and organizations striving for comprehensive and reliable drug screening processes. While traditional urine exams are limited in scope, hair follicle tests provide a deeper, more accurate historical view of substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window in North Bergen, NJ, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This feature furnishes employers with an encompassing perspective on a candidate or employee's substance history, capturing not just recent usage but patterns over time. This quality gives hair testing a critical advantage in scenarios where understanding long-term substance use is paramount to decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test stands as a tamper-resistant method in North Bergen, NJ, reducing the risk of sample adulteration significantly. The process ensures trustworthy outcomes by making it nearly impossible for subjects to alter or substitute samples. This reliability assures both employers and individuals of the test's credibility and precision, as hair is inherently less susceptible to tampering compared to traditional urine samples.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations as well as local ones in North Bergen, NJ, the process becomes hassle-free for everyone involved. Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to facilities, providing quick and reliable testing options without the extended wait times often associated with less widespread services. This accessibility plays a crucial role in maintaining efficiency and satisfaction for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing process in North Bergen, NJ is simple and confidential, making it straightforward for all parties involved. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results are structured to respect privacy and ease of use, alleviating any concerns clients might have regarding discretion and convenience. The confidential nature of the process ensures user trust and confidence in handling sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in North Bergen, NJ ensures great value for companies of all sizes. With competitive pricing structures and efficiency in delivering results, Accredited Drug Testing provides reassurance to employers seeking quick, reliable outcomes without compromising quality. This combination of cost-effectiveness and service speed is designed to meet diverse organizational needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in North Bergen, NJ provides fast and precise results when it comes to detecting substance use. Known for its accuracy, the hair test offers a reliable way to screen for drug and alcohol consumption, making it an invaluable tool for employers and individuals seeking truthfulness in testing outcomes.
Accuracy in measurement ensures employers and concerned parties can confidently base decisions on the results delivered.
Speed in delivery means less waiting time, which is crucial in dynamic environments where rapid decisions are necessary.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing can enhance compliance and peace of mind for employers in North Bergen, NJ. Through a robust drug-free workplace policy, businesses can minimize legal risks and enhance employee safety. By opting for hair follicle testing, companies align themselves with high standards of workplace compliance, ensuring a secure and productive work environment that benefits everyone involved.

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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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