Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Amity, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains long-lasting evidence of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When collected near the root, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage within roughly a three-month timeframe. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample size for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. When we mention head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (face, armpits, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in a lab comprises four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes incorporating the sample into a lab’s system. This phase ensures proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishes any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid drug abuse assessment. While Screening effectively eliminates drug use for most samples, a positive result necessitates Confirmation for legal validity. Any samples indicating possible positive in Screening must undergo secondary Confirmation.

When a sample is possibly positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In the Extraction phase, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening a particularly complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Any samples flagged as possibly positive are cleaned ahead of Confirmation as required. Throughout the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation, activities are audited under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and against ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer shorter detection durations.
• Cheating is difficult: Attempting to falsify a hair drug test is quite challenging, providing more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It can map a pattern of substance usage across time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation actually analyzes the hair shaft, not the root under the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Amity, AR, the former stands out for its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests provide a longer detection period, revealing drug use up to 90 days prior, making them valuable for businesses seeking enhanced monitoring. This reliability, plus the difficulty in tampering, renders hair testing a more trustworthy choice than traditional urine tests for employers enforcing strict anti-drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Amity, AR companies benefit from hair follicle testing, which extends the window for drug detection significantly. Unlike urine tests, which offer a short-term view, hair tests reach back about 90 days, providing a detailed account of an individual's substance use history. This extended detection is critical for employers who value long-term insights into an employee's or applicant's drug use patterns for thorough screening processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test is a robust method against tampering, particularly appealing to employers in Amity, AR. Its observed collection process and biological complexity make it extremely challenging to adulterate, ensuring the integrity of results. This resistance to tampering leads to trustworthy outcomes that support a drug-free work environment, providing employers with the assurance they need.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide and in Amity, AR, our services ensure convenient access to hair follicle tests. The widespread availability of our locations allows for quick, straightforward, and trouble-free testing procedures. This extensive network supports employers and individuals by providing accessible testing, reinforcing the reliability and ease of maintaining drug-free standards in various settings.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Amity, AR is straightforward and secure, making it a favored choice for those concerned with confidentiality and efficiency. Ordering, testing, and obtaining results are streamlined for a seamless experience, with strict privacy protocols that protect personal information, offering reassurance and comfort to participants throughout the testing proceedings.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Amity, AR businesses benefit from hair follicle testing due to its affordable pricing and swift results, which provide excellent value for organizations of all sizes. Fast turnaround times allow companies to make informed decisions with minimal delay, while competitive pricing ensures a cost-effective approach to maintaining workplace safety, optimizing both economic and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Amity, AR, the precision and speed of hair follicle tests set them apart in the realm of drug detection. This method offers high accuracy in identifying substance use, covering a range of substances with robustness and reliability. Backed by advanced technology, hair follicle drug testing ensures results that are both prompt and meticulous, benefiting employers by facilitating quick decision-making in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Amity, AR, hair follicle testing aids employers in adhering to workplace drug policies, thus mitigating legal risks and fortifying safety. By leveraging this reliable testing method, businesses ensure compliance and security, achieving peace of mind. Hair test results offer evidence-based assurances that uphold drug-free workplace policies, fostering a culture of safety and accountability among employees.

Drug Testing Near Amity, AR

Norman, AR

Bismarck, AR

Delight, AR

Antoine, AR

Daisy, AR

Pearcy, AR

Meyers, AR

Hopper, AR

Oma, AR

Caddo Gap, AR

Pike City, AR

Kirby, AR

Point Cedar, AR

Glenwood, AR

Rosboro, AR

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