Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Deer, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures an extended record of drugs and alcohol by embedding signs of use within the hair shaft as it grows. When cut closely to the scalp, hair samples can reveal evidence of drugs and alcohol use from the past three months. The collection process is straightforward, the samples are hard to tamper with, and they are easily sent for analysis.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, close to 200 hair strands (similar in size to a standard pencil), provides 100mg of hair, which is considered the perfect sample size for testing. For additional markers like EtG or more comprehensive tests over 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is preferred. It's advisable to weigh samples with a jeweler’s scale. If there is no scalp hair available, equivalent amounts of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' is specifically referring to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other types (e.g., facial or underarm hair).

Process Overview

The principal stages in a laboratory’s verification of drug tests are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the sample's entry into the lab's system. This process includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not supplied through an electronic tracking system.

Screening performs an initial examination for illegal substances. While it is a budget-friendly approach for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result requires corroboration to be legally valid. All samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening need secondary validation.

Should a sample test positive in Screening, a further hair portion is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a minimal concentration relative to other methods (such as urine or saliva), marking hair analysis as the most challenging drug testing technique.

Validation of any positive Screening outcomes occurs through methodologies such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before any confirmations, all samples presumed positive are washed as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire framework is assessed as per CAP (College of American Pathologists) standards and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests trace drug consumption up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair test is almost impossible, thus providing higher accuracy.
• Tracks historical usage: It gives insight into drug use trends over time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Doesn't detect recent activity: Drugs become detectable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Cost factor: Hair tests are generally costlier compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variance: Hair color and growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair samples.

Note: Although often named "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair shaft and not the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Deer, AR, hair follicle testing offers notable advantages over traditional urine tests. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability due to their ability to uncover drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. Unlike urine tests, which may detect only recent use, hair tests offer comprehensive insights into an individual's drug history.

Employers often favor hair testing because it maintains stringent protocols, reducing the likelihood of cheating or sample tampering. Consequently, when employers require a robust and fraud-resistant method for drug screening, hair follicle testing emerges as a preferred choice.

Extended Detection Window

In Deer, AR, hair follicle testing extends the detection window for substance use up to 90 days. This long-term insight into an individual's drug history furnishes employers with a broader perspective on an applicant's or employee's substance use patterns. The method surpasses the shorter detection periods of traditional tests, providing a detailed account of past behaviors.

The extended detection period offered by hair follicle testing allows for a thorough examination of an individual's drug use. This long timespan is particularly useful for making informed decisions about hiring and maintaining workforce standards, ensuring a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Deer, AR, stands out as a tamper-resistant method. This testing process drastically reduces the risks associated with sample adulteration, ensuring reliable and indisputable results. The inherent characteristics of hair tests make it difficult for individuals to alter or fake their samples.

With hair follicle testing, the integrity of the sample remains intact, providing incontestable evidence of drug use. This reliability makes hair testing a preferred choice for courts, employers, and substance abuse professionals who require dependable and verifiable test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide, including local centers in Deer, AR. This widespread access guarantees quick, easy, and hassle-free drug testing services. Clients benefit from the seamless process of finding and accessing testing facilities wherever they are.

The vast network of testing locations makes hair follicle testing accessible to individuals and employers across various regions. This convenience reduces delays, ensuring that testing is conducted promptly and efficiently, meeting the needs of diverse clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Deer, AR, hair follicle testing is characterized by its straightforward and confidential process. Ordering tests, taking samples, and receiving results can be conducted with ease and privacy. This process addresses client concerns about confidentiality and user-friendliness.

The simple procedures involved in hair follicle testing minimize hassles and protect personal information. Individuals can confidently undergo testing, knowing their privacy is valued and maintained throughout the entire testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Deer, AR, offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This approach delivers excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes can benefit from quick and dependable test results. The competitive pricing structures meet budgetary constraints while maintaining high-quality service.

By offering cost-effective solutions without compromising on speed and reliability, our services cater to businesses looking for efficient drug testing options. The balance between price and performance positions hair follicle testing as an ideal choice for organizations focused on comprehensive substance use screening.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing offers rapid, reliable, and precise results in Deer, AR. These tests stand out due to their remarkable accuracy in detecting substance use, providing clear answers to queries concerning an individual's drug history. The testing method ensures prompt outcomes, enhancing the decision-making process for employers and legal entities alike.

The accurate detection capabilities of hair follicle tests are unmatched. They maintain high precision levels that surpass traditional testing methods, ensuring that the results are not only quick but also trustworthy. This makes them an invaluable tool for assessing substance use in a variety of contexts.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Deer, AR, bolsters employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By implementing this method, companies can minimize legal liabilities and enhance workplace safety. It provides peace of mind by ensuring employees adhere to their substance use policies.

Employing hair follicle testing is an effective strategy for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. This testing method helps employers uphold a safe and drug-free working environment, reducing risks and fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability.

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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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