Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Seabrook Farms, NJ

What it is, How it works

The practice of hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Hair collected near the scalp can offer an estimated 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drug use. It's easy to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A specimen measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be taken. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in the lab involves four primary actions: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with registering a sample into the lab's records. This step encompasses checking the sample's seal and shipping adequacy, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not provided by a digital chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid evaluation for drug use. While it is an economical approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screening must be validated to be considered legally acceptable. Any sample that tests positive in Screening necessitates further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are withdrawn from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other testing procedures (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex to execute.

Confirmation of any positives from the screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples that presumptively test positive are washed before confirmation if required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can trace drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a much shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, thus improving the accuracy of the results.
• Historical insights: This testing offers a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is usually more costly than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Influences such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this test assesses the hair strand itself and not the root beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Seabrook Farms, NJ benefits notably from hair follicle tests over urine tests. These tests boast superior accuracy, detecting drug use over lengthy periods. With more reliable results and an inability to tamper with samples, they offer a decisive advantage for discerning employers over conventional urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Seabrook Farms, NJ, provides an extended look-back period of up to 90 days for drug detection. This expanded window offers employers a comprehensive overview of a candidate's substance history, enhancing informed hiring decisions and maintaining a safe working environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Seabrook Farms, NJ employers appreciate the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests. By drastically minimizing sample manipulation risks, these tests deliver reliable and trustworthy results, ensuring the authenticity of drug screening processes and upholding testing integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in Seabrook Farms, NJ, with our nationwide locations facilitating hassle-free testing. Our widespread centers ensure easy and quick access to drug testing services, enhancing efficiency and client satisfaction while meeting testing needs effortlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Seabrook Farms, NJ, our drug testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and viewing results, privacy and ease are prioritized, ensuring users feel secure and informed throughout the entire experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Seabrook Farms, NJ clients enjoy competitive pricing and rapid turnaround on hair follicle tests. Our cost-effective solutions and fast results ensure businesses receive great value and confidence in their drug testing investments.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Seabrook Farms, NJ, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their swift and precise results. Their accuracy in identifying substance use surpasses traditional methods. Quick and reliable detection ensures prompt, confident decision-making for employers seeking assurance in their workforce.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Seabrook Farms, NJ, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies, it reduces legal risks and augments overall workplace safety, promoting a secure and productive 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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