Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Woodcliff Lake, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by holding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When harvested close to the scalp, it can offer a detection timeline of up to 3 months for both alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is the recommended amount. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equal quantity of body hair is an alternative. By 'head hair,' we mean exclusively scalp hair, while 'body hair' refers to hair from other areas (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The drug test result laboratory process encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. It involves verifying the seal and shipment of the sample, providing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any missing data not recorded by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary search for abused substances. It's a cost-efficient approach for negating drug use in most samples, but a positive screen necessitates verification to be viable for legal proceedings. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening require corroborative confirmation.

If a sample flags as presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is collected from the initial batch and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at lower concentrations from hair compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a notably complex methodology.

Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, presumptive positive samples undergo washing as required. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the complete laboratory procedure is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) regulations for Hair and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests detect usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to manipulate: Hair drug tests are challenging to deceive, ensuring result accuracy.
• Chronological data: It reflects a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Detection in hair takes about 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and growth rate variations may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the strand of hair, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing has clear advantages over urine tests in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Its extended detection window allows for a more thorough screening of substances over a three months period. This is particularly beneficial for regulatory compliance and safety in workplaces with strict no-drug policies.
Hair tests offer a superior level of accuracy that minimizes the potential for false negatives or positives, ensuring reliable insights into one's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Woodcliff Lake, NJ offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This broad timeframe allows employers to gain a fuller perspective on an individual's substance use history. Unlike urine tests, which typically only catch recent usage, hair testing offers a comprehensive view that assists in making informed hiring or policy decisions.
Companies monitoring for drug-free workplaces find this feature particularly useful and timely.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Woodcliff Lake, NJ, hair follicle tests are renowned for being tamper-resistant, providing dependable results. The difficulty in adulterating hair samples makes them highly reliable for ensuring the integrity of the drug test outcomes. Testing centers have leveraged these characteristics to enhance trust in the testing procedure, safeguarding against attempts to manipulate test results.

By using this method, organizations can confidently assess substance use without the worry of compromised samples.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is a significant advantage of our hair follicle testing service, with local locations in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Nationwide testing centers allow for quick and straightforward access, simplifying the process for individuals and companies alike. No matter where employees are tested, the method remains consistent, ensuring reliable results each time.

This extensive network of testing sites supports timely and efficient test administration without hassles.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Woodcliff Lake, NJ offers a straightforward and confidential process from ordering to receiving results. Privacy concerns are eased by the efficient handling of samples and information. Users appreciate the simplicity and speed at which they can complete the testing process, highlighting its ease of use.

With confidentiality assured at every step, individuals and organizations feel protected and reassured throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Woodcliff Lake, NJ, our hair follicle testing services boast competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. Companies benefit from the cost-efficiency and timeliness that these testing solutions provide, ensuring minimal disruption to workflow while maintaining budgetary considerations.

The blend of affordability and quick results offers exceptional value, catering to businesses of various sizes and needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Woodcliff Lake, NJ, hair follicle drug tests are trusted for their speed and accuracy. This method efficiently detects substance usage, giving precise results almost every time. Employers and legal systems find the clear findings fulfill their necessity for reliable screening tests.
The quick turnaround time ensures results are received without delays, facilitating rapid decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Woodcliff Lake, NJ, utilizing hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with workplace drug-free regulations. This testing method lowers legal risks and promotes a safer working environment by ensuring that only drug-free individuals form part of the workforce. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they adhere to best practices and maintain a trustworthy and productive team.
Hair testing is an essential tool for businesses in upholding their values and commitments to safety.

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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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