Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Adona, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has emerged as a formidable method for identifying the presence of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair strand’s fibers as they grow. When extracted near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 locks of hair (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For tests like EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. In terms of head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four pivotal steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s framework. It involves confirming the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAB (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any extra-information absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial swift assessment for abusive drugs. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples deemed suggestively positive in Screening need secondary validation.

Samples indicating presumptive positivity in the Screening phase require additional hair extraction from the original specimen for Preparation. Drugs are then isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why conducting hair drug screening presents the greatest challenge.

Verification of any positive screening result is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo prior cleansing to confirmation if necessary. The whole laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screens can recognize drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with a lesser detection span.
• Resistance to falsification: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring higher accuracy in the outcomes.
• Offers use history: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over a timeline, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests normally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

While traditional urine tests have been the norm, hair follicle testing in Adona, AR, offers superior accuracy. Its detection window spans up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests which cover a shorter period. This allows for the identification of long-term drug usage, making hair tests a more reliable choice.
The advanced methodology ensures a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Adona, AR, provides a valuable extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of past drug use. This duration gives a broad overview of a person's substance usage, making it advantageous for employers who require a thorough assessment of potential applicants or current employees.
Such extended detection offers an insightful examination, ensuring informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Adona, AR, hair follicle tests offer a significant reduction in the risk of tampering compared to other methods. The sample collection process is observed, ensuring integrity, while the robustness of the method makes altering or substituting samples nearly impossible.
This secure testing approach delivers consistent and reliable results, reinforcing confidence in its accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing options with its nationwide presence, including local centers in Adona, AR. This broad network facilitates quick and effortless access to hair follicle drug testing services, minimizing the hassle for individuals and organizations.
Our widespread locations ensure that testing is accessible and efficient for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Adona, AR, is simple and confidential. Ordering the test is straightforward, and the collection and results procedures prioritize privacy. This ensures that clients have a seamless experience, with minimal concerns over confidentiality.
Our process is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring ease and reassurance throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Adona, AR, provides competitive pricing structures and swift turnaround times. These offerings deliver excellent value, ensuring that companies of all sizes can benefit from high-quality testing without financial strain.
Our commitment to affordability and efficiency offers organizations peace of mind, knowing they're receiving reliable services promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Adona, AR, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. These tests provide highly accurate results, effectively pinpointing substance use with remarkable reliability. The quick turnaround time ensures that results are not only received rapidly but also maintain utmost accuracy.
Ensuring peace of mind, the thoroughness and speed of hair testing make it an invaluable tool for substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Adona, AR, seeking compliance and peace of mind benefit greatly from hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and bolstering safety.
By employing this reliable drug testing method, organizations can maintain a secure working environment, reassuring both employers and employees alike.

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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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