Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fulton, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a significant method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the strands, offering an extended history of drug and alcohol use. When collected near the scalp, it offers a detection period of roughly up to three months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of about 200 hair strands (resembling a #2 pencil in size) close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or analysis exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially integrated into the laboratory’s system. This process verifies the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Though cost-effective for eliminating drug use from most samples, a positive Screen requires confirmation to be legally accepted. Any Screening that is initially positive demands further confirmation.

If a sample is potentially positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the provided specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than seen in other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening notably challenging to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening involves techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any potential positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can trace drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a narrower detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Manipulating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It provides a timeline of substance use over a duration, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Not effective for recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair analysis.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair pigmentation and personal differences in hair growth can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Even though often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fulton, AR
Hair testing has proven more effective than urine tests for several reasons. The enhanced detection window allows for identification of substance use far beyond the capabilities of urine tests. Additionally, the accuracy and reliability of hair tests make them superior, ensuring that results are trustworthy and reflective of long-term behavior.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Fulton, AR
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This is invaluable for employers in Fulton, AR, seeking insight into the substance habits of applicants or employees, providing a complete overview that other methods can't match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fulton, AR
Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of tampering, ensuring results remain accurate and indisputable. In Fulton, AR, this method offers a foolproof approach to substance testing, effectively preventing the common pitfalls associated with sample adulteration in other test types, such as urine.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fulton, AR
Accredited Drug Testing provides extensive access with its nationwide centers, simplifying the testing process for individuals in Fulton, AR. Whether local or across the country, our centers ensure testing is convenient, rapid, and stress-free, making it easy to access the services you need when you need them.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Fulton, AR
Our testing procedures in Fulton, AR are designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease at every step. From ordering the test to receiving results, the entire process respects client confidentiality and simplifies participation, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fulton, AR
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times. In Fulton, AR, this means excellent value for organizations of any size, providing cost-effective solutions that don't compromise on quality or speed, thus giving businesses the assurance they need without delays.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fulton, AR
Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its accuracy and speed. In Fulton, AR, clients benefit from tests that precisely detect substance use, offering comprehensive insights quickly. The results of hair tests, due to their advanced methodologies, are not only fast but also boast high precision, ensuring that clients receive dependable data they can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fulton, AR
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps Fulton, AR employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal exposure and bolstering overall safety. By relying on this reliable testing method, companies can ensure their workforce adheres to necessary health and safety regulations, fostering a secure 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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