Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ten Mile Run, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analyses are increasingly recognized as a potent mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a prolonged historical record of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair fiber. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. It is straightforward to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (around the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the specimen utilizing a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we solely reference scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test outcome involves four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab’s system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents an initial swift assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be legally admissible. Samples suspected of being positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample indicates a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is drawn from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underlying why hair drug screening is notably challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any preliminary positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before validation, as necessary. The entire lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can recognize drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests present a narrower detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is significantly difficult, enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals a timeline of drug use, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are generally pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis regards the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Ten Mile Run, NJ? Hair testing methods are scrutinized against urine tests for detection precision and reliability. Hair follicle tests offer superior accuracy in identifying drug use patterns, besting urine tests in reliability and consistency.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Ten Mile Run, NJ, provides valuable insights into long-term drug use. Employers appreciate this ability as it presents a comprehensive history of substance use by an applicant or employee, spanning up to a 90-day period.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Ten Mile Run, NJ, is a tamper-resistant method, significantly cutting down the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures reliable results every time, providing unquestionable evidence of drug use without the suspicion of sample manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Ten Mile Run, NJ, accessing hair follicle testing services is straightforward. Nationwide centers ensure easy access to testing, making the process quick and hassle-free for all who need it.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ten Mile Run, NJ, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, each step is designed with privacy in mind, allowing users to enjoy a seamless and discreet experience. The ease of use enhances the overall satisfaction.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our Ten Mile Run, NJ, services boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This combination delivers excellent value for businesses of varying sizes, ensuring companies can comfortably manage their testing needs without sacrificing quality or budget considerations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ten Mile Run, NJ, hair follicle drug testing is celebrated for its fast and precise outcomes. The method's ability to accurately pinpoint substance use makes it a preferred choice. This accurate testing triumphs in efficiently detecting drug use which is crucial for employers and other stakeholders seeking dependable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ten Mile Run, NJ, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, decreasing legal risks, and promoting a safer work environment, making it a reliable choice for business leaders.

Drug Testing Near Ten Mile Run, NJ

North Brunswick Township, NJ

Harlingen, NJ

Blackwells Mills, NJ

Dayton, NJ

Rocky Hill, NJ

Kingston, NJ

Pleasant Plains, NJ

Monmouth Junction, NJ

Juliustown, NJ

Deans, NJ

Griggstown, NJ

Heathcote, NJ

Kendall Park, 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