Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Arkana, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method to determine drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term drug and alcohol markers by embedding them in the fibers of growing strands. Hair samples close to the scalp offer an approximate detection period of 3 months for substances. It’s easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and conducive to shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (equal in width to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, serving as the optimal quantity for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. Utilize a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. If scalp hair is not present, substitute with equivalent body hair. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The lab testing process for drug results includes the following stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning processes the sample initially in the laboratory system. It entails verifying proper sealing and transport of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting additional data absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening rapidly checks for substances of abuse. Although it economically excludes drug usage for most samples, positive screenings require confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples identified as potentially positive in Screening undergo further confirmation.

Upon presumptive positive identification during Screening, additional hair from the sample is prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Confirmation of positive screenings uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples needing confirmation are pre-washed. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can track drug use up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have shorter detection spans.
• Cheat-proof: Cheating on a hair test is challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Indicates historical usage: It records drug use patterns over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: Drugs typically require 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing tends to incur higher costs than other methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth variances can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Arkana, AR, hair follicle testing stands superior to traditional urine testing. Offering extended detection capabilities, hair testing ensures a more accurate and reliable assessment of drug use.

Unlike urine tests, which are effective primarily for recent drug use, hair testing provides an extensive history, revealing long-term drug use patterns. This superior detection accuracy makes it an invaluable tool for employers and legal professionals.

Extended Detection Window

Arkana, AR benefits greatly from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, unmatched by other testing methods. Capable of uncovering drug use up to 90 days past, hair tests offer comprehensive insights.

This extensive detection timeline allows employers a broader perspective on an individual's substance use history, aiding in making informed employment decisions, and ensuring a substance-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Arkana, AR, the hair follicle testing method is renowned for its resistance to tampering. Sample adulteration is significantly reduced, assuring reliable and indisputable results.

The testing method's robustness strengthens its reliability, ensuring that the results stand up to scrutiny. Many choose hair testing for this attribute, trusting its capacity to yield genuine insights while minimizing the risk of compromise.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Arkana, AR boasts convenient testing locations through our nationwide centers, ensuring easy access to hair follicle testing services. Our widespread centers make it simple to find nearby locations.

The vast network of testing sites guarantees a quick, hassle-free experience for individuals and employers, emphasizing efficiency in scheduling and conducting tests across the country.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Arkana, AR, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, with an emphasis on ease of use and privacy. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are streamlined for the best user experience.

We understand the importance of confidentiality in drug testing processes, ensuring that personal data remains secure while making the overall process user-friendly and effective.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Arkana, AR, we offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable rates without compromising quality and peace of mind.

Fast processing and clear, cost-effective pricing underscore our commitment to delivering exceptional value, meeting diverse employer needs with efficient and economical testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Arkana, AR, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, precise, and reliable results. With their high degree of accuracy in detecting various substances, they emerge as a leading solution in drug testing.

Precision is a key advantage of hair follicle testing. It ensures that signs of drug use are accurately captured, leaving little room for error. Employers and testing centers can trust in these results' reliability due to this accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Arkana, AR find peace of mind through hair follicle testing due to strict compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Hair testing minimizes legal risks by providing accurate substance use data to support drug policies.

This testing method reassures employers, ensuring that they meet all regulatory requirements effectively, resulting in a safer and more compliant workplace environment.

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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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