Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Passaic, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within a growing hair strand's fibers, hair offers an extensive history of drug and alcohol use. When taken near the scalp, hair provides an approximately three-month timeframe for detecting substances. Collecting hair is simple, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) located nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning handles the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory system. This step includes ensuring the sample's seals were intact and it was shipped accurately, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not provide.

Screening performs an early evaluation for illicit drug use. Though cost-efficient for excluding drug use in many samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Samples that test positive during Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a sample is positive, more hair is extracted from the specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation for a positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, presumptive positive samples are cleaned accordingly. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Difficult to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can portray a drug use pattern across a time span, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Drugs need approximately 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Passaic, NJ. Hair tests are superior to traditional urine tests due to their enhanced detection precision and reliability. With a detection window that can capture up to 90 days of substance use history, hair testing offers a comprehensive overview. This makes them ideal for employers, judiciary systems, and substance abuse professionals prioritizing thorough evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Passaic, NJ. Hair follicle testing provides an extended timeline to observe drug use, up to 90 days, offering a broader understanding of an individual’s substance history. This feature provides employers with a more complete view and helps make informed decisions, fostering a safer workplace environment. This extensive window is unparalleled by other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Passaic, NJ. Hair follicle tests are significantly more difficult to alter, thereby reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This characteristic leads to trustworthy and indisputable results, ensuring a higher level of reliability. Employers can trust these tests to deliver accurate substance use assessments without concern over compromised samples.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Passaic, NJ. Our widespread testing centers provide quick, easy, and hassle-free access to drug testing services. The convenience of having numerous locations ensures that acquiring a test wherever you are is uncomplicated, making the process accessible to many users without delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Passaic, NJ. Our streamlined and secure process for ordering, administering, and receiving test results prioritizes user privacy. With straightforward steps and confidentiality, clients can rest assured about the privacy of their information and the simplicity of testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Passaic, NJ. The competitive pricing structures and rapid result delivery provide great value for businesses of all sizes. Companies benefit from cost-effective solutions and quick test results, allowing for timely decisions and peace of mind in managing workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Passaic, NJ. Hair follicle testing stands out due to its remarkable precision. This method ensures rapid and trustworthy results, making it an ideal choice for detecting substance use efficiently. The high accuracy of hair tests gives peace of mind, ensuring substance abuse is identified effectively. Employers and individuals alike benefit from this credible testing method.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Passaic, NJ. Implementing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This ensures compliance, mitigates legal risks, and bolsters workplace safety. Employers benefit from the confidence that comes with using reliable drug testing approaches that align with their organizational standards.

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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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