Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bay, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The composition of hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When obtained close to the scalp, a hair sample can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to approximately three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (about the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional categories, or those beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the hair sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a proportional quantity of body hair can be used. Note that 'head hair' specifically indicates scalp hair, while 'body hair' includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample goes through initial processing in a lab’s system. This phase includes verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry not captured through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial brief test for drugs of abuse. Although it is cost-efficient and applicable to most samples, a positive result from Screening needs further confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples that screen positive require additional verification.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the initial collection for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug screening is particularly challenging to conduct.

Verification of positive Screening results occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples initially tested as positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a narrower detection period.
• High resistance to tampering: Manipulating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing the precision of the results.
• Historical insight: This method can illustrate a trend of drug use over a significant period, as opposed to only recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapability to detect recent usage: Drugs need about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bay, AR, hair follicle tests are superior to urine testing due to their advanced detection capabilities. They offer unmatched accuracy and reliability in identifying drug use.

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a longer detection window, enabling a more comprehensive drug usage history. This makes it ideal for employers with zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

In Bay, AR, the value of hair follicle testing lies in its extended detection period. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, it grants employers a thorough view of an individual's substance consumption.

Hair tests give a comprehensive insight into a potential or current employee's drug history, aiding in informed decision-making for maintaining a safe work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Bay, AR employers find hair follicle tests tamper-resistant, significantly lowering the chance of sample manipulation. This ensures the results remain trustworthy and unbiased.

Because hair samples are less susceptible to adulteration, they provide a higher level of validity and are hard to falsify compared to other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents and employers in Bay, AR, find it convenient to access nationwide testing centers, making testing services quick, easy, and free of complications.

Our testing centers offer accessible locations, ensuring that individuals can efficiently undergo drug testing without unnecessary travel or hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bay, AR, Accredited Drug Testing offers a simple and confidential process for ordering and conducting hair follicle drug tests, ensuring privacy is maintained from start to finish.

User ease is prioritized, facilitating a smooth experience whether ordering an analysis or receiving the final results, giving confidence to all involved parties.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Among Bay, AR businesses, the appeal of hair follicle testing lies in the affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for employers.

Our competitive pricing structure coupled with quick result processing offers peace of mind, making it a viable option for companies regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bay, AR, hair follicle drug tests provide fast and accurate results. Their high precision in identifying substances ensures that test outcomes are reliable and credible.

Employers benefit from the speed of hair testing, which promptly delivers conclusive evidence of substance use. It stands out for its efficiency in processing samples and delivering results without unnecessary delays.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Bay, AR, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to strict workplace drug policies, offering compliance and reducing legal risks.

Utilizing this method enhances workplace safety, providing company leaders peace of mind knowing that their environment remains drug-free, benefiting overall organizational integrity.

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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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