Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ocean Grove, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use. Hair retains long-term substance history by capturing biomarkers within the fiber of the growing strand. When cut close to the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month timeframe for alcohol and drug detection. Hair is easy to harvest, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample for testing and validation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key steps in laboratory drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into the lab system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not already provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient method to determine drug non-use in most samples, but any positive screen must be verified to be legally acceptable. Samples that are preliminarily positive in screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample tests as presumptively positive during Screening, more hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. In this stage, substances are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies to perform.

Confirmation of any screening-positive result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned as necessary prior to confirmation. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, which enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Offers usage history: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ocean Grove, NJ

Hair follicle tests are renowned for their superior accuracy when compared to conventional urine tests. They offer a longer detection period, allowing for comprehensive insights into a person's drug history. This gives employers an edge in maintaining a drug-free environment.

Beyond the extensive detection window, hair testing is less vulnerable to tampering than urine tests. This level of reliability ensures that employers receive authentic and dependable results that accurately reflect an individual's substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ocean Grove, NJ

One of the major advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection capability. The process can identify drug usage spanning up to 90 days, giving employers a detailed view of their potential hires or existing employees’ drug habits.

This prolonged detection period sets hair testing apart from other methods, offering a more complete history of substance use. Employers benefit by gaining insights that help in crucial employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ocean Grove, NJ

Hair follicle testing is inherently less susceptible to tampering compared to other drug test methods. Its reliable nature means that results are less likely to be adulterated, providing accurate and straightforward findings.

This nearly foolproof system of detecting drugs ensures organizations can trust the results, reducing the chance of erroneous negative outcomes and bolstering workplace integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ocean Grove, NJ

Our network of testing centers stretches nationwide, offering unparalleled convenience. Individuals and companies in Ocean Grove, NJ, can access quick and hassle-free testing, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.

This widespread accessibility enables easier compliance with testing requirements, as both local and distant locations are covered, streamlining the testing process for all involved parties.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ocean Grove, NJ

Our testing process is straightforward and confidential, addressing common privacy concerns. Ordering, performing, and obtaining hair follicle test results is made easy and discreet.

This efficient service ensures users can confidently undergo testing, understanding that their personal data is protected and the entire process is handled with care.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ocean Grove, NJ

Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround make hair follicle tests accessible to businesses of any size. These tests offer exceptional value, ensuring reliable data without a hefty price tag.

Organizations benefit from fast results, enabling them to make prompt and well-informed decisions, which is vital in today’s fast-paced business world.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ocean Grove, NJ

Hair follicle drug tests provide highly accurate results quickly, making them a preferred method. Advanced technology allows them to precisely detect substance use, offering results that are reliable and trustworthy. This ensures employers make informed decisions based on accurate data.

The efficiency of hair follicle testing means that results are available faster than many other methods. Employers and organizations can depend on this tool for rapid assessments that do not compromise on accuracy, ensuring workplace safety is maintained.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ocean Grove, NJ

Utilizing hair follicle testing helps maintain compliance with workplace drug policies, offering employers peace of mind. By ensuring employees adhere to established standards, organizations reduce legal risks and promote workplace safety.

The confidence that comes from using a reputable testing method strengthens drug-free policies, helping companies avoid potential issues while maintaining a safe environment.

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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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