Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dixie, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is convenient.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels above 10, 150mg of the hair specimen is suggested. The specimen should ideally be weighed using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample into the lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is cost-effective for discounting drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be substantiated to be legally admissible. Samples presumed positive during Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the initial collection and readied for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies to conduct.

Confirmation of a positive Screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter window of urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: Altering a hair drug test is quite difficult, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical insight: It offers a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: The cost of hair drug tests is generally higher compared to other testing methods.
• Result variations: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dixie, AR

• Hair testing surpasses urine tests with superior detection accuracy for longer-term usage.
• The reliability of hair tests provides peace of mind, avoiding false negatives common in urine tests.
• Hair tests uncover drug use habits over a greater timeline, enhancing detection fidelity.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Dixie, AR

• Hair follicle testing offers a window of up to 90 days, providing a thorough assessment.
• This long detection period grants valuable insights into an individual’s substance history.
• Employers gain a comprehensive perspective on candidate consumption behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Dixie, AR

• Hair follicle tests drastically minimize risks related to sample manipulation.
• The test’s design ensures samples remain authentic, leading to dependable outcomes.
• Employers can trust the results, making it a preferred choice for genuine testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Dixie, AR

• Our network includes nationwide centers, offering simple and swift access to testing.
• Testing facilities in every city ensure no delays or hurdles for participants.
• Convenience is key with easy access to reputable testing centers at your reach.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Dixie, AR

• The testing procedure is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns effectively.
• From registration to results, every step is designed for ease and confidentiality.
• The process safeguards privacy, ensuring comfortable experience for participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Dixie, AR

• We offer competitive pricing, making hair follicle tests accessible for all sizes of business.
• The expedited results help businesses make quicker, informed decisions.
• Our pricing structure guarantees value, partnered with speedy service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Dixie, AR

• Hair follicle tests offer precision and speed, ensuring quick identification of substance use.
• These tests provide high accuracy, leading to dependable results for those needing fast turnaround.
• Employers benefit from the rapid availability and reliability, streamlining their decision-making process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Dixie, AR

• Hair follicle testing supports workplace drug-free policies, aiding compliance.
• The method reduces legal liabilities, bolstering employer confidence in safety.
• Employers find assurance in reduced risks and improved workplace conditions.

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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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