Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dalton, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When strands are gathered near the scalp, they offer up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advocate for using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair might be gathered. In context, head hair relates to scalp hair solely, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory procedure comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be validated for court acceptance. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lowered concentration versus other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), substantiating why hair drug screening is considered the most intricate methodology to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is employed to confirm any positive screening results. All presumptive positives are washed prior to confirmation as needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory process is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use over a 90-day period, unlike urine tests which have a brief detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is very challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It illustrates a timeline of drug use, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite being referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Dalton, AR, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests in evaluating drug use. Hair testing wins with its broader drug use detection capabilities, giving it the upper hand in accuracy and dependability.

Superior detection allows hair tests to identify long-term drug use more effectively than urine tests, ensuring a more comprehensive analysis of substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Dalton, AR, benefit from an extended detection window with hair follicle testing, capturing drug use history of up to 90 days. This method provides a detailed view of an individual's substance habits.

Unlike traditional methods, hair testing allows examination of chronic substance use, offering employers a profound insight into patterns rather than just recent activities.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Dalton, AR, hair follicle testing stands out for its tamper-resistant nature, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration and guaranteeing reliable results.

Thanks to its secure collection process, hair testing significantly curtails cheating attempts, securing trustworthy outcomes for regulatory and employment needs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Dalton, AR, enjoys the advantage of convenient testing locations, both locally and nationwide, simplifying access to necessary testing services.

Our vast network ensures quick and hassle-free testing, making it easier for individuals and companies to adhere to testing requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple, confidential process in Dalton, AR, ensuring ease in ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results.

Privacy and straightforward procedures assuage concerns, offering a seamless experience from start to finish in drug testing engagements.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Dalton, AR, benefits from affordable pricing and fast turnaround with our hair follicle tests, providing exceptional value for organizations of any size.

Our competitive rates paired with swift result delivery ensure companies receive reliable testing services without financial strain or delay.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Dalton, AR, hair follicle drug tests are unbeatable in delivering fast, precise evaluations. Speed and accuracy are paramount, allowing individuals and organizations to swiftly obtain insights into substance use.

High accuracy in detecting even low drug concentrations means hair testing excels in reliability, making it an invaluable tool for those who depend on accurate substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Organizations in Dalton, AR, can boost compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies.

By implementing hair testing, employers minimize legal risks and promote a safer work environment, complying with stringent drug use regulations effectively.

Drug Testing Near Dalton, AR

Powhatan, AR

Datto, AR

Mammoth Spring, AR

Cherokee Village, AR

Reyno, AR

Black Rock, AR

Hardy, AR

Biggers, AR

Williford, AR

Imboden, AR

Pocahontas, AR

Maynard, AR

Ravenden Springs, AR

Ravenden, AR

Warm Springs, 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