Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dover, AR

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a record keeper for alcohol and various drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is collected from the scalp, it can offer up to a 90-day window for detecting substances. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) obtained near the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's suggested to weigh the hair using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equal amount of body hair may be used instead. The term head hair strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in the lab involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves incorporating the sample into the laboratory’s system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry that wasn't covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial assessment for drug presence. While this method is economical for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive results from the screen require confirmation to be legally valid. Presumptive positives from the Screening step must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample is found to be presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for further analysis. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from the hair at a much finer concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive are washed as necessary before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is reviewed under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair test is very challenging, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug usage over time, instead of just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests are generally pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and growth variations among individuals can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests," the examination actually focuses on the hair strands, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Dover, AR offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. It is highly regarded for its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests can uncover drug use patterns stretching back up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that capture a shorter timeframe. This makes hair testing an invaluable tool for employers needing a detailed evaluation of an employee’s or candidate's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

One of the remarkable benefits of hair follicle testing available in Dover, AR is its extended detection window. With the ability to identify drug use up to 90 days in the past, employers gain a comprehensive view of an applicant or staff member's substance history. This long detection period is invaluable when making informed decisions about hiring or maintaining workforce safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Dover, AR offers a tamper-resistant approach to drug screening. The risk of sample adulteration is significantly reduced, ensuring reliable, accurate outcomes. As the procedure locks in evidence of drug use within hair strands, it becomes virtually impossible to alter results, reinforcing trust and confidence in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with our testing services in Dover, AR, featuring both local and nationwide testing centers. These locations offer effortless access that stretches beyond hassle-free testing. With a seamless process in place, individuals and companies can secure drug testing services promptly, regardless of their city or state.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Dover, AR, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed with privacy and ease of use in mind. This transparency ensures individuals can undertake testing without worry, knowing their sensitive information is handled discreetly and responsibly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Dover, AR deliver great value to businesses. Economical rates coupled with speed ensure companies have access to high-quality, timely results. This efficient service supports competitive business operations and fosters confidence among stakeholders.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Dover, AR, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method is esteemed for its precision in detecting substance use. Quick turnaround times ensure that the information obtained from the tests supports timely decision-making. The accuracy of hair tests helps in presenting a clear picture of a person’s drug use history, providing assurance to employers and other entities concerned with substance testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Dover, AR experience boosted compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This testing method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal threats and elevating safety standards. Ensuring adherence to company policies and legal requirements helps maintain a secure and productive environment for all employees.

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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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