Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Floyd, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by trapping biomarkers within the hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 90-day detection period for alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch lock of about 200 hairs (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the preferred amount for screening and validation. For tests requiring EtG, add-ons, and/or exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If there is no scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample's seal and shipment were intact, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any additional data entry not through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening consists of an initial rapid test for drug abuse. Although Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most samples, any positive results must be verified to be valid in a court of law. Any samples testing positive during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is inspected according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Supplies historical data: It provides a timeline of drug use, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests in Floyd, AR. This method excels in detection accuracy and is far more reliable, providing a clear advantage in identifying substance use. Hair tests are less susceptible to tampering, ensuring more accurate outcomes than urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Employers benefit from the extended detection capabilities of hair follicle testing in Floyd, AR, as it can reveal substance use up to 90 days back. This prolonged window enables a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's drug history, making it a preferable choice for comprehensive evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Floyd, AR, hair follicle tests present a tamper-resistant method for drug screening. The test's robust nature significantly curtails the chances of sample adulteration, resulting in dependable and indisputable outcomes for stakeholders concerned with drug testing integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With conveniently located centers nationwide, including in Floyd, AR, accessing drug testing services is quick and hassle-free. This extensive network facilitates easy access to testing, ensuring that individuals and organizations find it simple to fulfill their drug screening needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Floyd, AR, is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns seamlessly. The procedure for ordering, completing, and obtaining results is straightforward, assuring individuals of privacy and ease throughout the entire testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and rapid turnaround are hallmarks of our hair follicle testing services in Floyd, AR. Our competitive pricing structure, along with swift processing times, delivers excellent value, catering to businesses of all sizes with notable efficacy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Floyd, AR, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its speed and precision. These tests are ideal for detecting substance use accurately. Unlike other methods, hair tests provide a high degree of reliability and precision, ensuring that employers and officials receive fast and trustworthy results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Floyd, AR, achieve peace of mind knowing that hair follicle testing complies with rigorous drug-free workplace policies. Adopting this testing method minimizes legal risks and promotes a safer working environment, reinforcing organizational standards and compliance.

Drug Testing Near Floyd, AR

Vilonia, AR

Cabot, AR

Higginson, AR

Letona, AR

Austin, AR

Enola, AR

Ward, AR

Pickens, AR

Rose Bud, AR

Garner, AR

Sidon, AR

McRae, AR

Beebe, AR

El Paso, AR

Center Hill, 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