Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Silver Ridge, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of these substances, preserving biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. If obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances. It's easy to collect, not easily altered, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of around 200 hairs (about the width of a #2 pencil) taken nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample amount for testing. For EtG tests, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10, it is suggested to gather 150mg of the sample. We recommend using a jeweler's scale for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, equivalent body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair areas (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial logging of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input needed that isn't provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-efficient way to identify drug use in most samples, a positive screening result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any samples suspected of being positive in the Screening phase must undergo a secondary validation.

If a specimen tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is retrieved from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower amounts than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most complex method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suspected of being positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The full lab operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Tough to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, which enhances result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Silver Ridge, NJ, hair follicle testing offers superior detection capabilities against traditional urine tests. Hair tests are lauded for their reliability and extended detection periods, allowing a comprehensive analysis that urine cannot match. Accuracy levels in hair testing far exceed those in urine analysis.
Reliability of hair analysis surpasses urine tests, delivering robust drug history insights, reinforcing zero-drug policies in workplaces.

Extended Detection Window

The ability of hair follicle tests to provide insight into drug use for up to 90 days is unparalleled in Silver Ridge, NJ. This extended window empowers employers to gain a holistic view of a prospective or current employee's substance history, aiding in sound decision-making.

The extended detection offered by hair testing is invaluable, ensuring thorough understanding of drug use behaviors over significant timeframes. Employers can effectively monitor consistent patterns, safeguarding the workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests minimize the risk of tampering significantly in Silver Ridge, NJ. The nature of the collection process renders it almost tamper-proof, ensuring integrity and precision of results. This is vital for maintaining trust and assurance in drug testing protocols.

Ensuring reliable outcomes, hair tests prevent sample adulteration, offering unquestionable and accurate results necessary for a drug-free workplace.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous nationwide centers, hair follicle testing services are conveniently available in Silver Ridge, NJ. This expansive network ensures quick, hassle-free access to necessary testing services, aiding both employers and individuals alike in maintaining efficient schedules.

The accessibility of test centers simplifies the process for businesses and locals in Silver Ridge, reducing waiting times and eliminating logistical challenges to facilitate seamless service engagement.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing process in Silver Ridge, NJ, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering a test through to receiving results, client privacy and ease are prioritized. The straightforward approach mitigates any apprehension surrounding drug testing protocols.

Ensuring a confidential workflow, the hair follicle testing procedure in Silver Ridge boosts user confidence and data protection, presenting a model that's easy to engage with and dependable in its discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures, our hair follicle testing services in Silver Ridge, NJ, present excellent value. Affordable rates coupled with fast turnaround times benefit companies, offering top-notch service without compromising on budgeting constraints.

Fast results and cost-effective solutions are cornerstones within our offerings. Organizations can leverage these advantages to ensure financial restraint while obtaining reliable drug test results, meeting business needs efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing set it apart in Silver Ridge, NJ. High accuracy is achieved in detecting illicit substances, making it a preferred choice for businesses and legal systems. Results from these tests offer fast insights, reducing waiting periods and expediting critical decision-making processes.

Hair testing's technological advancements ensure fast, accurate, and reliable findings. With streamlined protocols, individuals and organizations in Silver Ridge benefit from swift results, crucial for maintaining productivity and adhering to stringent regulatory requirements.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Silver Ridge, NJ, gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. Adhering to drug-free workplace policies, reduces legal threats, and fosters a safe working environment. Clear, compliant testing protocols minimize risks exponentially.

With hair follicle testing, companies align with regulatory standards, ensuring safety protocols are upheld. The peace of mind from using such tests stems from the substantial reduction in workplace mishaps and liabilities.

Drug Testing Near Silver Ridge, NJ

Island Heights, NJ

Gilford Park, NJ

Leisure Knoll, NJ

Pine Ridge at Crestwood, NJ

Leisure Village West, NJ

Pine Beach, NJ

Pine Lake Park, NJ

Beachwood, NJ

South Toms River, NJ

Toms River, NJ

Holiday City-Berkeley, NJ

Holiday Heights, NJ

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews