Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Etowah, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair can offer an extended historical record of alcohol and drug intake by ensnaring biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair may provide insights into alcohol and drug use covering up to a 3-month timeframe. Sampling hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands, roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil, near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG extensions, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps involved in laboratory processing of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's framework. This task involves ensuring the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid test for the presence of addictive substances. While Screening is an economical means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive results during Screening require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening is among the most intricate methodologies.

Verification of any positive Screening outcomes occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are washed as necessary prior to confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and certified to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is extraordinarily challenging, thus enhancing the reliability of results.
• Provides historical insights: Capable of illustrating a trend of substance use over time instead of only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot track recent consumption: The detectability of drugs in hair typically begins approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to other testing approaches.
• Differing outcomes: Variables such as hair pigmentation and individual growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests in Etowah, AR are significant. Hair tests provide a broader detection window, capturing drug use history over 90 days as opposed to a few days with urine.

Furthermore, hair testing ensures a higher degree of accuracy, reducing the likelihood of tampered samples. In comparison, urine tests are more susceptible to adulteration, making hair tests the superior choice for reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days, providing valuable insights into long-term substance use. This extended window is crucial for employers looking for a comprehensive view.

Through hair testing, employers in Etowah, AR have the ability to assess an applicant's or employee's historical substance use, offering a broader perspective on their lifestyle choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the key benefits of hair follicle testing in Etowah, AR is its resistance to tampering. The collection process ensures minimal risk of adulteration, as samples are collected under supervision.

This method offers trustworthy and reliable results, providing peace of mind for employers and judicial systems that rely on these definitive tests to maintain integrity and safety standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including facilities in Etowah, AR, ensuring easy access to hair follicle testing services.

Our expansive network guarantees quick and hassle-free testing processes, allowing businesses and individuals to obtain necessary tests without delay, enhancing efficiency and satisfaction.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Etowah, AR is simple and confidential. The streamlined procedure ensures ease of ordering, conducting the test, and receiving results, safeguarding privacy at every step.

The confidentiality of the testing process respects individual privacy concerns, making it a trusted option for individuals and businesses alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Etowah, AR both affordable and efficient for organizations of all sizes.

Our cost-effective testing solutions provide exceptional value, giving companies the peace of mind of reliable testing without the financial burden.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Etowah, AR is distinguished for its speed and accuracy. Results are available quickly, and the process offers a precise assessment of substance use. This method excels in reliably detecting various substances, making it a trustworthy option.

Boasting high detection accuracy, hair follicle tests reduce the chances of false positives or negatives. This provides confidence in the results, offering transparency and assurance for both employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Etowah, AR gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, which ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal exposure.

By implementing hair testing, businesses can enhance workplace safety. This reliable testing method upholds both compliance and employee health, fostering a secure work environment.

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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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