Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atsion, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the strands of emerging hair, hair offers an extended timeline for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair samples taken near the scalp can reflect substance use over approximately a three-month duration. This method of collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) near the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, serving as an optimal sample for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable measure of body hair can be used. It's important to clarify that "head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial, rapid assessment for drug use. Although Screening is a cost-effective way to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive results require confirmation to be legally valid. Presumptively positive screenings necessitate further validation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, the drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, presumptively positive samples are washed as required. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both 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, which is longer than the detection window of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier than alternative methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this test analyzes the hair strand instead of the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Atsion, NJ, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in many critical areas.
Extended Detection: Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests can expose substance use months after it occurs, proving its superior longevity.
Precision and Reliability: Hair tests are less prone to manipulation, making them nearly infallible.
Comprehensive Analysis: With the ability to identify a range of substances, hair tests offer a more detailed picture of an individual's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

In Atsion, NJ, hair follicle tests provide an extended window of detection for substance use, lasting up to 90 days. This affords employers a panoramic view of an individual's drug use history.
Comprehensive Detection: Mapping out a longer timeframe of substance consumption, these tests furnish essential insights into the behavioral patterns of users.
Significant Advantage: Hair testing's longevity offers a stark contrast to the limited scope of traditional urine tests, effectively offering a broader picture.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Atsion, NJ, offers a tamper-resistant method of drug screening.
Secure Sampling: The observed collection process mitigates the chance of sample tampering, ensuring integrity.
Unquestionable Accuracy: Serving as a dependable solution, hair testing minimizes the risk of adulteration.
Trustworthy Outcomes: With rigorous protection against alteration, results from hair tests are indisputably reliable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to testing locations in Atsion, NJ.
Nationwide Reach: With numerous centers throughout the country, acquiring a test is now an uncomplicated process.
Local Convenience: Our strategically positioned local facilities mean you don’t have to travel far for reliable testing services.
Hassle-Free Experience: Our centers ensure quick and easy access, minimizing time and effort.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Atsion, NJ, is simple, confidential, and straightforward.
Ease of Ordering: Initiating a test requires only a few uncomplicated steps, promoting ease of use.
Confidential Handling: Personal details and results are kept private, safeguarding client privacy.
Seamless Experience: The end-to-end experience, from order to results, is designed to bolster client confidence in this discreet service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Atsion, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing offers a cost-effective yet comprehensive solution.
Competitive Pricing: Our affordable rates ensure access to all without compromising on quality.
Swift Turnaround: Receive data promptly, aiding in fast and informed decision-making.
Value Assurance: Our service provides exceptional value, meeting the needs of varying business sizes effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Atsion, NJ, are synonymous with fast and accurate outcomes. Their ability to detect substance use with high precision makes them a preferred choice for many. As opposed to traditional methods, these tests swiftly deliver results that clients can trust.
High Accuracy: The advanced nature of hair testing ensures that even the slightest traces of substances are uncovered, offering unparalleled precision.
Speed of Processing: Quick turnaround times mean that decisions can be made rapidly by employers and courts.
Assured Reliability: Hair tests are fortified against external tampering, ensuring dependable results without compromise.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing ensures employers in Atsion, NJ, maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, granting peace of mind.
Policy Adherence: Hair tests support employers in upholding stringent zero-tolerance policies without hesitation.
Enhanced Safety: Ensuring compliance reduces legal risks and creates a safer working environment.
Legal Assurance: Using such thorough measures protects companies from unforeseen legal liabilities.

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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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