Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cass, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair functions as a historical archive of substance intake by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the growing strand. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for substances like alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and validation. For tests such as EtG, extensions, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be procured, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. By “head hair,” we refer exclusively to scalp hair. “Body hair” encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step entails verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-effective measure to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that yield presumptive positives in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is indicative of positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug screenings can recognize drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to deceive: It is highly challenging to manipulate a hair drug screening, enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Lacks detection of recent intake: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to surface in hair analysis.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the scalp root

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug testing methods in Cass, AR, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests. Its superior detection period captures extended substance use, providing a truthful narrative of usage patterns. Employers find hair tests more trustworthy, offering enduring reliability.

Extended Detection Window

The significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Cass, AR, lies in its extended detection period, monitoring drug use for up to 90 days. This prolonged timeline equips employers with detailed insights into an individual's substance history, ensuring informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Cass, AR, offer a tamper-resistant method that curtails concerns over sample adulteration. Their design ensures dependable and doubt-free results, granting peace of mind to employers relying on authentic drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Access to testing in Cass, AR, is seamless with our nationwide and local centers. This extensive network ensures swift, accessible, and straightforward testing services, alleviating logistical challenges for employees and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The straightforward and confidential nature of our hair follicle testing in Cass, AR, addresses privacy and convenience concerns. From ordering to result reception, the process is designed to be easy and secure, prioritizing customer discretion and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Companies in Cass, AR, benefit from competitive pricing and expedited turnaround times with our hair follicle testing services. This blend of value and rapid results provides peace of mind, fitting the needs of businesses large and small.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cass, AR, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapid, precise outcomes. Their accuracy in identifying substance usage is unparalleled. For employers seeking fast, exacting results, hair tests prove their value, offering more reliable detection compared to other methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cass, AR, gain assurance and compliance by opting for hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, diminishing legal liabilities while enhancing workplace safety and peace of mind.

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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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