Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stanhope, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to approximately 90 days for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hairs (roughly matching the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair may be utilized. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair. Body hair includes all additional types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages involved in processing a drug test result in a laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial inclusion of a sample into a lab’s system. This process checks if the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputs any extra data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for discounting drug presence in most cases, any positive findings must be confirmed for legal validity. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting hair testing as the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen involves techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples are washed as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory process is critically reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring higher accuracy.
• Chronological data: It provides a historical pattern of drug use rather than just capturing recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often used, but the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Stanhope, NJ, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair tests can unveil substance use over a 90-day span. This extended timeframe makes hair testing a more effective tool for employers committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace, offering more reliable and accurate results.

Extended Detection Window

When it comes to identifying long-term drug use, hair follicle testing in Stanhope, NJ, stands out with its remarkable 90-day detection window. This comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance history empowers employers to make informed decisions, ensuring they understand an applicant or employee's drug habits over an extended timeline rather than a brief snapshot.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Stanhope, NJ, provide a tamper-resistant testing method incredibly robust against adulteration. The risks associated with sample tampering, prevalent in other drug-testing methods, are significantly diminished. With hair analysis, results remain trustworthy and indisputable, offering employers unshakeable assurance and confidence in the authenticity of outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is central to Accredited Drug Testing's services, with numerous testing centers nationwide and in Stanhope, NJ. This extensive network ensures swift and accessible testing, eliminating the hurdles typically associated with drug testing processes. Individuals can quickly and easily access services, reducing time and effort in obtaining necessary evaluations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Stanhope, NJ, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle drug test results is simple and confidential. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, addressing concerns of both individuals and organizations. The straightforward procedure reassures clients of their confidentiality while facilitating ease of use and reliability in the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Stanhope, NJ, offers affordable pricing and rapid turnaround, ensuring organizations of varying sizes receive excellent value. Competitive pricing structures ensure budget-friendly options, while prompt results provide timely insights, reinforcing clients' peace of mind with fast access to critical information.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hallmark of hair follicle drug testing in Stanhope, NJ, is its unparalleled precision and speed. Hair tests offer remarkable accuracy in identifying substance use over extensive periods. Relying on scientifically reliable methods, these tests provide results that professionals can trust, ensuring individuals and organizations receive definitive insights promptly, leaving little room for doubt.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Stanhope, NJ, leveraging hair follicle testing gain peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method minimizes legal risks and enhances workplace safety by reliably detecting drug use. As a result, organizations foster a safe and controlled environment for all employees.

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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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