Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wharton, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for detecting both drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a retrospective record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of about 90 days for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For add-ons such as EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to ensure accurate specimen weight. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The principal stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a specimen into a laboratory system. This comprises verifying appropriate sealing and dispatch of the sample, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial specimen is prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing why hair drug screening is the most intricate methodology.

Confirmation of any preliminary positive screening outcomes is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as required. The full laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Reinforced accuracy: The difficulty in tampering with a hair drug test enhances result reliability.
• Trend analysis: It offers insight into drug consumption patterns over time, beyond recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result discrepancies: Hair color variations and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Despite being commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing hair follicle to urine testing in Wharton, NJ reveals distinct advantages. Hair testing offers enhanced detection accuracy with a longer window for identifying substance use. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis is less prone to tampering and provides more reliable outcomes, making it the preferred choice for many.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window in Wharton, NJ. By revealing drug use up to 90 days prior, it allows employers a more in-depth look at an individual's substance history. This capability supports informed hiring decisions and ongoing employment evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Wharton, NJ, hair follicle tests stand out as a tamper-resistant method. The nature of these tests greatly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, thus ensuring that results are dependable and credible. This reliability is key for employers looking to uphold stringent drug policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Testing convenience in Wharton, NJ is enhanced by our widespread facilities. With abundant locations throughout the area, accessing our drug testing services is quick and hassle-free, eliminating the stress of lengthy travel and ensuring efficient service for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Wharton, NJ, our drug testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, the procedure addresses privacy concerns while being user-friendly, making it easy for individuals and organizations to integrate testing seamlessly into their operations.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Wharton, NJ, we place emphasis on offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Our competitive rates ensure that businesses of all sizes receive valuable service, with the added benefit of quick outcomes, affirming fiscal prudence and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wharton, NJ, the demand for hair follicle drug tests stems from their fast and accurate results. Unlike traditional tests, hair testing excels at pinpointing substance use with high precision. This method ensures that employers quickly receive reliable data essential for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Wharton, NJ can experience compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, mitigates legal risks, and elevates overall workplace safety by ensuring that drug use is accurately monitored and managed.

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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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