Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greenwood, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has gained recognition as a significant technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of around three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximating the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample amount for analysis and corroboration. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations beyond ten panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We advise utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unaccessible, the same amount of hair from the body can be collected. When referring to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four main phases involved in the laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes adding the sample into the laboratory’s system initially. This encompasses verifying that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening consists of a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for the majority of samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, a larger amount of hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), explaining why hair drug screening presents more challenges than other methodologies.

Confirmation for any presumptively positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is supervised under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair status and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests detect drug consumption up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to trick: It is notably hard to deceive a hair drug test, providing more reliable results.
• Delivers historical insight: It offers an overview of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair coloration and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis uses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Greenwood, AR, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Among these benefits are increased detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests can detect substance use over a more extended period, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual’s drug use history. Unlike urine tests, which can be susceptible to tampering, hair tests offer results that are difficult to manipulate, making them a preferred choice.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. In Greenwood, AR, this method can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, offering employers a thorough insight into the substance history of applicants or employees. This long detection period means that hair testing provides not just a snapshot of recent use but a broader perspective of an individual’s patterns, making it invaluable for making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Greenwood, AR, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant testing method that greatly reduces the potential for sample adulteration. The stringent procedures involved in collecting and analyzing hair samples ensure that results are reliable and indisputable, thereby providing assurance and confidence in the outcomes. For organizations, this means an additional safeguard against attempts to alter or falsify drug test results, reinforcing their drug-free policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations with local facilities in Greenwood, AR, providing easy and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing. Our broad network of testing centers ensures that getting tested is a quick and simple process, meeting the needs of employers and individuals alike. Customers can benefit from the accessibility and efficiency of our services, which are designed to accommodate various testing demands.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Greenwood, AR is simple and confidential. From ordering the test, providing the sample, to receiving the results, each step is streamlined to ensure privacy and ease of use. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes confidentiality, addressing any privacy concerns while facilitating a smooth experience for all users. This approach ensures that clients can trust the security and discretion of our testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Greenwood, AR, our hair follicle testing services offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures ensure cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality or speed. Quick result delivery contributes to efficient decision-making, offering assurance to employers and meeting the varied needs of our clientele with high professional standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Greenwood, AR are known for delivering prompt, accurate, and dependable outcomes. This testing method offers high precision in identifying substance use, setting it apart from traditional methods. Reliability is ensured through stringent collection methods that contribute to effective and quick analysis, allowing for timely and informed decision-making.
Fast processing times make hair follicle tests ideal for situations requiring immediate attention.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Greenwood, AR can achieve compliance and peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method helps to enforce workplace drug-free policies, thereby minimizing potential legal liabilities and improving overall safety. By ensuring comprehensive testing, organizations can maintain compliance with industry standards and promote a healthy work environment, protecting both employee well-being and company reputation.

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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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