Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ogdensburg, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair acts as a historical record of alcohol and other substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. A sample collected near the scalp can provide a detection period for alcohol and other drugs lasting up to about 90 days. Hair can be gathered with ease, is relatively tamper-resistant, and is straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil), nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10-panel tests, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning comprises the intake of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step verifies that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not supported by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid check for the presence of drugs. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use for most samples, any positive result must be confirmed to be valid for legal purposes. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as a highly challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any presumptively positive result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleaned prior to confirmation, as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the oversight of both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for a period up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It's extremely challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, ensuring the results are more reliable.
• Provides usage patterns: It can offer a record of drug use spanning a timeframe, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth speed can influence the level of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself assesses the hair strands, not the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine tests in Ogdensburg, NJ, hair testing provides superior detection accuracy. The extended detection window of hair tests surpasses that of urine tests, capturing drug use patterns over a much longer period.

Traditional urine tests may miss infrequent or past drug use, but hair testing reflects a more comprehensive history of substances consumed, lending greater credibility and reliability in test results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Ogdensburg, NJ offers an extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug use history. Employers get a thorough view of an employee's substance history, aiding informed decision-making and improving workplace safety.

This lengthy detection period captures sporadic or former substance use that urine tests might miss, giving a clearer picture of an individual's habits over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Ogdensburg, NJ, hair follicle drug tests offer a tamper-resistant method that minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures reliable, trustworthy results for employers and organizations committed to drug-free environments.

The observed collection process used in hair testing eliminates opportunities for sample manipulation, providing assured accuracy and reducing doubts about test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Ogdensburg, NJ, facilitate easy access to hair follicle drug testing services. Our locations ensure a hassle-free and prompt testing process for all clients.

These widespread centers allow quick and efficient scheduling, catering to the needs of employers, legal entities, and individuals with minimal disruption or delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing process in Ogdensburg, NJ is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy at every step. The straightforward ordering and testing process addresses concerns about discretion, offering clients peace of mind.

With secure handling of results, clients enjoy an efficient and stress-free experience, reinforcing our commitment to confidentiality and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Ogdensburg, NJ, we offer affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle drug testing, providing excellent value. Our competitive pricing structures make testing accessible for companies of all sizes.

With fast results and budget-friendly options, businesses benefit from significant savings and timely drug testing outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ogdensburg, NJ, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. These tests yield high accuracy in identifying substance use, offering reliable results that help maintain safety and policy compliance in various settings.

Employers and other entities benefit from the fast processing of hair follicle tests. With their excellent detection abilities, these tests ensure dependable outcomes, preventing misleading results and enhancing decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Ogdensburg, NJ ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering employers peace of mind. It mitigates legal risks while promoting a safer, more efficient work environment.

By using this method, businesses uphold their commitment to safety and responsibility, reinforcing trust and maintaining policy adherence seamlessly.

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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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