Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Port Monmouth, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and substance usage by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fiber. When hair is taken from near the scalp, it offers around a three-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. The collection process is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp is equal to 100mg, the preferred amount for analysis and validation. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or examinations exceeding 10-panel, 150mg of hair is advisable. It's prudent to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair is permissible. It's important to note that ‘head hair’ pertains specifically to scalp hair, whereas ‘body hair’ includes all other varieties (face, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing workflow of a drug test result involves four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step which incorporates the sample into a laboratory’s system. It involves checking that the sample has been sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid test for detecting drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for discounting drug use in a majority of specimens, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be legally admissible. Any specimens that test presumptively positive during Screening must undergo a follow-up confirmation.

For samples testing presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves removing drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Positive screening results are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage spanning up to 90 days, which is longer than the window for urine testing.
• Challenging to deceive: Evading a hair drug test is notably hard, resulting in more credible outcomes.
• Offers retrospective data: It can show drug usage patterns over a timespan, not merely recent activities.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to identify recent consumption: It takes 5-7 days before drugs manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug residues in hair strands.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outshines urine testing in Port Monmouth, NJ because of its superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests provide a broader detection window and are harder to manipulate.

Extended Detection Window

In Port Monmouth, NJ, one standout feature of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. Employers gain access to a comprehensive history of substance use, as the test can detect drug use for up to 90 days.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Port Monmouth, NJ is notably tamper-resistant. The method significantly mitigates risks associated with sample adulteration, offering dependable results that leave no room for doubt.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing locations across the nation, including locally in Port Monmouth, NJ, we ensure convenient access to drug testing services, facilitating a seamless experience for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our approach in Port Monmouth, NJ is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to be straightforward, addressing privacy concerns and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Port Monmouth, NJ deliver great value for businesses, boosting confidence with prompt outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests provide fast and accurate results, making them a preferred choice in Port Monmouth, NJ. Their precision in identifying substances ensures a reliable overview of an individual's drug use over time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Port Monmouth, NJ can enjoy peace of mind and enhanced compliance with workplace drug policies through hair follicle testing. It decreases legal risks while promoting a safer work 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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