Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Somerville, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective approach for detecting substance use. Hair retains a lengthy history of drug and alcohol exposure by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal substance utilization for up to about a three-month span. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, enhancements, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's recommended to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent mass of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four essential stages involved in laboratory processing for a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into a laboratory’s database. This includes confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input absent from an electronic custody chain system.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug presence in most samples, any positive screen must undergo verification to be court-admissible. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate follow-up confirmation.

When a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at weaker concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology.

Positive screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can identify drug use for up to 90 days, versus urine tests which offer a briefer detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug examination is exceptionally difficult, bolstering result accuracy.
• Tracks past trends: It offers a record of drug habits over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use detection delay: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth variations can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Somerville, NJ, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing with its extended detection capabilities and accuracy. Unlike urine tests, which can be prone to tampering, hair tests offer a reliable alternative with a longer detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days. This makes hair testing ideal for workplaces enforcing strict drug-free policies.

Employers value hair testing over traditional methods due to its reliability and comprehensive detection period. While urine tests serve their purpose, the superior accuracy and tamper-resistant nature of hair testing makes it a preferred choice in a zero-tolerance environment.

Extended Detection Window

Somerville, NJ benefits from hair follicle drug testing's extensive detection window, which can trace substance use for up to 90 days. This longer timeframe provides employers with a detailed overview of a person's drug history, aiding in comprehensive assessments of applicants or employees.

The prolonged detection period of hair testing serves as an advantage for organizations tracking long-term substance use. This capability ensures that employers obtain a full picture of an individual's drug-use history, enhancing the selection process and workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Somerville, NJ stands out for its resistance to tampering. This method significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring the test results are both reliable and unquestionable. Unlike other testing options, hair tests provide an extra layer of security against fraudulent manipulation.

The integrity of hair follicle tests makes them a trusted choice for accurate screening. The difficulty of altering a hair test sample ensures dependable results, increasing confidence in the testing process and outcomes for employers and legal authorities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, including Somerville, NJ, accessing hair follicle drug tests is both convenient and hassle-free. Our extensive network ensures that individuals have quick and easy access to testing facilities, eliminating long wait times and simplifying the testing process.

Whether local or across the country, our widespread testing locations facilitate prompt and efficient service. This accessibility guarantees that testing remains a seamless process for individuals and businesses alike, enhancing convenience and satisfaction.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Somerville, NJ is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the focus remains on user privacy and ease of use, ensuring the process is both simple and discreet.

Individuals appreciate the uncomplicated nature of hair testing, with assurances that their personal information remains secure. This attention to confidentiality and simplicity in the testing process builds trust amongst clients seeking reliable substance use screening.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Somerville, NJ offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, providing significant value and confidence for businesses of all sizes. The combination of affordability and efficiency ensures organizations receive excellent service without compromising on quality.

By offering cost-effective solutions paired with rapid results, hair follicle testing presents an attractive option for employers. This balance of affordability and quick service supports companies in maintaining effective and budget-friendly drug testing programs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Somerville, NJ is known for its quick and precise results. This method excels in detecting substance use with high accuracy, ensuring reliable outcomes for both organizations and individuals. The capability to swiftly deliver accurate results enhances its appeal over other testing methods.

The efficiency of hair follicle testing is a significant asset. It allows for timely insights into an individual's substance use history, promising fast and dependable outcomes, crucial for making informed decisions in workplaces and legal settings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Somerville, NJ can enjoy peace of mind with hair follicle testing, knowing they are compliant with drug-free workplace policies. This method helps mitigate legal risks and bolster workplace safety by ensuring all employees adhere to substance use regulations.

The reliability of hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining a safe and compliant work environment. By reducing the risk of drug-related incidents, organizations can focus on enhancing productivity while safeguarding employee well-being.

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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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