Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Short Hills, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lasting history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a drug and alcohol detection period of up to around three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch lock containing roughly 200 hairs (about the width of a #2 pencil) taken from near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, perfect for assessment and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels greater than 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inadequate, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory work for processing a drug test outcome mainly involves Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning introduces the sample into a laboratory’s system initially. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any other data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening quickly checks for substance misuse. It serves as a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, but a positive screen requires additional confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need further verification.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is notably the most complex method.

Positive screening results are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can track drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to deceive: The reliability of hair drug testing is heightened by its resistance to falsification attempts.
• Historical usage insight: It reveals a timeline of drug usage patterns, offering insight beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Does not identify recent use: Detecting drugs in hair requires about 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug examinations cost more than alternate testing approaches.
• Result variability: Differences like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence metabolite presence in hair samples.

Note: Tests often called "hair follicle tests" actually examine the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: In Short Hills, NJ, hair follicle testing vastly outshines traditional urine tests. Its superior detection accuracy and reliability ensures a comprehensive substance use analysis. With hair testing, longer detection windows provide a more detailed substance history, making it the preferred choice for discerning organizations and individuals who value precision.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Short Hills, NJ: Hair follicle testing stands out for its ability to track substance use over extended periods, up to 90 days. This offers employers a detailed insight into an individual's drug history. It's a powerful tool for assessing both applicants and current staff, ensuring compliance and trustworthiness in the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: Short Hills, NJ benefits from the robust reliability of hair follicle tests. By significantly reducing chances of sample tampering or adulteration, these tests ensure results are trustworthy and indisputable. With such integrity, employers can rest assured they're receiving accurate data for better decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: In Short Hills, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing offers seamless access through our extensive network of centers. Ensuring effortless, prompt, and hassle-free testing, our widespread facilities cater to diverse needs with ease. The convenience of local accessibility makes testing a straightforward endeavor.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process: Our testing services in Short Hills, NJ are designed with simplicity and confidentiality in mind. The straightforward procedure ensures privacy is upheld from ordering through to receiving results. Emphasizing ease of use, we provide a discreet and seamless experience for everyone involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: In Short Hills, NJ, our competitive pricing structures highlight our commitment to cost-effectiveness. Coupled with rapid turnaround times, we deliver success and value for companies of all sizes. Affordable rates ensure every business can access premium testing without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Short Hills, NJ: Hair follicle drug testing is synonymous with precision and speed. Offering unparalleled accuracy, these tests swiftly detect substance use, ensuring results that Short Hills residents can trust. The rapid delivery of reliable results guarantees peace of mind. Embracing hair testing technology means staying at the forefront of accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Adopting hair follicle testing in Short Hills, NJ ensures adherence to stringent workplace drug protocols. This approach not only mitigates potential legal exposures but also fosters a safer work environment. Employers gain assurance and peace of mind, knowing compliance is maintained efficiently and effectively.

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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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