Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Clarkridge, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft's fibers. When taken close to the scalp, hair samples can provide a detection timeframe of nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprised of roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair; body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four key phases in the lab examination of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a specimen into a laboratory's framework. This step ensures the sample was adequately sealed and sent, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient technique to negate drug use across most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening must undergo confirmation as a secondary measure.

If a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is selected from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is highly challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any potentially positive screening outcomes is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can detect substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine testing has a more limited detection range.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, resulting in more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a record of drug use over an extended duration, not just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs become identifiable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration results in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the examination actually analyzes the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In comparing hair follicle and urine drug testing in Clarkridge, AR, hair testing emerges as the superior choice. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection period crucial for a more accurate assessment of drug history. This undeniable accuracy establishes confidence among employers using this method.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing available in Clarkridge, AR, employers can uncover substance use over an elongated period, reaching up to 90 days. Such an extended detection window offers a comprehensive perspective on an individual's history, invaluable for making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Clarkridge, AR, is a tamper-resistant approach to drug screening. The methodology significantly curtails the risk of sample adulteration, offering results that are both reliable and unquestionable, ensuring integrity is upheld in drug testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network of testing centers, including locations in Clarkridge, AR, ensures effortless access to vital drug testing services. This widespread availability guarantees swift, convenient, and straightforward testing experiences for all participants.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Clarkridge, AR, is both simple and confidential. Ordering a test, undergoing the procedure, and receiving results are all designed to prioritize privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any potential concerns head-on.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing along with fast turnaround times in Clarkridge, AR, reinforces our commitment to delivering value. Our competitive pricing structures cater to varied business sizes, ensuring cost-effective solutions without compromising on speed or quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The rapidity and precision of hair follicle drug testing in Clarkridge, AR, offer notable benefits. Substance detection through hair samples yields fast, accurate results, outpacing traditional methods. This efficiency greatly aids in decision-making processes, ensuring reliable information is swiftly delivered to those who need it.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Clarkridge, AR, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method not only mitigates legal risks but also bolsters workplace safety, providing peace of mind to both management and employees through rigorous compliance adherence.

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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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