Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gravelly, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair that is in the process of growing. When collected close to the scalp, hair can provide up to approximately a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to obtain, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch strand bundle consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG tests, additional assessments, and/or panels exceeding 10 in number, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In case scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. When referencing head hair, it implies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair alludes to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key stages in laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes ensuring that the sample was sealed and forwarded correctly, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary quick check for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to exclude drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen must be authenticated to be acceptable in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require secondary verification.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a far lesser concentration than in other methodologies (ex. urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Authentication of any positive screening result is undertaken via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which offer a shorter detection window.
• Hard to falsify: It is exceptionally challenging to deceive a hair drug test, providing more precise results.
• Offers historical data: It can reveal a usage trend over a few months, rather than merely short-term use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Outcome variations: Variables such as hair color and individual discrepancies in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Despite being often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Gravelly, AR

Hair testing outshines urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle exams provide a broader window for identifying substance use, making them a better choice for employers and professionals seeking comprehensive results. This edge in detection capability is particularly valued in Gravelly, AR, for ensuring workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Gravelly, AR

Hair follicle testing excels in identifying drug use over extended periods, up to 90 days. In Gravelly, AR, this thorough method offers employers an in-depth insight into an individual's history of substance use. This extended detection window becomes indispensable for understanding an applicant's or employee's substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Gravelly, AR

Hair follicle tests in Gravelly, AR, offer a tamper-resistant solution, considerably reducing the possibilities of sample manipulation. These tests deliver trustworthy and definitive results, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process. This reliability is invaluable for conducting secure and verifiable substance analyses.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Gravelly, AR

Gravelly, AR, benefits from our extensive network of testing centers across the nation. This accessibility ensures that testing services are prompt, effortless, and stress-free. The convenience of readily available locations delivers efficient solutions for all testing needs, nearby and nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Gravelly, AR

The hair follicle testing process in Gravelly, AR, is designed to be straightforward and private. From placing an order to undergoing the test and receiving results, the procedure prioritizes confidentiality and ease of use. Addressing privacy concerns is crucial for those undergoing testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gravelly, AR

Competitive pricing and brief turnaround times characterize our services in Gravelly, AR. Companies of all sizes benefit from the excellent value provided, with affordable options and prompt results offering assurance and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Gravelly, AR

With hair follicle drug tests, you receive swift, precise, and trustworthy results. These tests boast high levels of accuracy for detecting substance use, ensuring that results are not only prompt but dependable. In Gravelly, AR, individuals benefit from the efficiency of these tests in obtaining crucial information about substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Gravelly, AR

Utilizing hair follicle testing aids in confirming adherence to drug-free workplace policies for employers in Gravelly, AR. This approach decreases legal risks and bolsters workplace security. Employers can rely on these tests to uphold compliance, leading to a tranquil and safe working 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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