Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Strathmere, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a long-term history of these substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When cut close to the scalp, hair presents a detection window of roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 strands (similar to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assays exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for precise specimen weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and carrying out any extra data entry that is not part of an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an early, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be admissible legally. Any specimens presumed positive in Screening must undergo subsequent confirmation.

In the event a sample is presumably positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methods to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are washed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a briefer detection window.
• Difficulty to falsify: It is exceedingly challenging to falsify a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical data provision: It provides a chronological pattern of drug use over time, beyond merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the actual examination analyzes the hair strand and does not involve the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing provides a superior alternative to urine testing in Strathmere, NJ. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing boasts higher detection accuracy and reliability, making it the preferred choice for employers and individuals. Hair tests offer a broader detection window, with results that are harder to alter, thanks to the observed collection technique and resistance to tampering.

When juxtaposing hair and urine tests, the former stands out due to its comprehensive approach. Hair testing offers unparalleled insight into an individual's substance use over an extended period, while urine tests offer limited insights, typically covering only recent use. The robust nature of hair testing sets it apart.

Extended Detection Window

In Strathmere, NJ, hair follicle testing excels in extended detection periods. It allows observation of drug use history for up to 90 days, giving employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance habits. This extended window surpasses traditional tests, offering clearer evidence of past use.

The extensive time frame covered by hair testing presents employers with a comprehensive substance use history. This thorough screening provides peace of mind in hiring decisions, ensuring that potential employees align with company drug policies resiliently over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes tampering risks in Strathmere, NJ. Unlike other methods, the observed collection process of hair samples makes it nearly impossible to alter results. This rigorous collection method ensures reliability and prevents adulterated results, which are more common in other testing forms.

The integrity of the hair test process upholds its reliability by ensuring that samples are collected securely and remain untampered. This secure method provides employers with unquestionable data, making it a preferred choice in scenarios demanding scrupulous and foolproof testing protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Strathmere, NJ features convenient nationwide testing facilities, providing ease of access to hair follicle testing services. Our locations streamline the testing process, facilitating quick and hassle-free visits, making drug screening accessible for everyone without the inconvenience of distant travel.

Beyond just Strathmere, our widespread network ensures service availability across multiple locations, enhancing accessibility. It simplifies the testing procedure for residents and businesses alike, minimizing travel disruptions and encouraging prompt and effective testing participation.

Simple, Confidential Process

Strathmere, NJ residents experience a seamless, confidential testing process. Ordering, taking, and receiving your hair test results are easy and secure. Our focus on privacy ensures that personal data remains protected, offering a worry-free testing environment.

From initiation to conclusion, our streamlined process respects your confidentiality. The simplicity of the entire testing flow mitigates worries, guaranteeing that all clients engage comfortably and securely, without concerns about privacy breaches or complexity issues.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times make hair testing in Strathmere, NJ both affordable and efficient. Businesses, regardless of size, benefit from our cost-effective structures, providing substantial value. Quick result delivery ensures minimal downtime in decision-making processes.

Enjoy excellent service with fair pricing, ensuring drugs testing remains within budgetary constraints while optimizing for fast service. This balance of cost and speed benefits local businesses seeking reliable, quick, and affordable substance use assessments.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The accuracy and speed of hair follicle tests make them a top choice in Strathmere, NJ. They deliver fast and precise drug detection capabilities, ensuring reliable results. Time-sensitive operations depend on the quick turnaround of hair testing, delivering comprehensive data for substance use detection with high accuracy.

Our testing can efficiently identify substances with unmatched precision. This method guarantees rapid and accurate results, attributing to its preference over other testing methods for its swift detection process. Trust in the reliability that only hair follicle testing can offer.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Strathmere, NJ, hair follicle testing ensures employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances safety in the workplace, delivering assurance and adherence to policy standards. Hair testing aligns with organizational goals to uphold a safety-first environment.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are equipped to meet industry regulations with precise testing methods. The implementation of hair testing demonstrates a commitment to safety, effectively reducing liabilities and fostering a culture of trust and responsibility among 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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