Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Henderson, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective instrument for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of the growing hair strand capture biomarkers, offering a prolonged view of alcohol and drug use. When hair is sampled close to the scalp, it can yield a detection timeframe of up to three months for alcohol and other drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, comparatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides about 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG testing, add-ons, or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We advocate weighing the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In situations where scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (such as beard, armpit hair, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab’s database. This phase ensures the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug usage. Although Screening offers an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that show a preliminary positive result in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.

In instances where a sample appears positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair with a sensitivity lower than other techniques (like urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, ensuring more accurate results.
• Historical consumption data: Offers a timeline of drug use over a duration, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: It generally takes 5-7 days before drugs become trackable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth differences can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," these assessments actually analyze the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In comparing hair with urine testing, hair follicle testing offers better detection accuracy and reliability in Henderson, AR. The extended detection period in hair testing makes it a preferred choice for organizations with strict drug policies. This effective method reveals past substance use, offering a thorough insight into an individual's history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Henderson, AR allows for the detection of drug use over a much longer period, sometimes up to 90 days. This provides a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's drug history. Employers benefit from this extended detection window, making informed staffing decisions based on detailed substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests reduce the risk of sample adulteration significantly. In Henderson, AR, this method provides unquestionable reliability in results, ensuring the integrity of the sample and boosting employer confidence in the findings. These tests deter attempts to cheat, guaranteeing accurate conclusions for drug use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Henderson, AR, benefits from widespread access to drug testing services through our nationwide centers. This network allows for

• quick, easy
• hassle-free access

Simple, Confidential Process

Our simple and confidential process in Henderson, AR facilitates easy ordering, testing, and results delivery. This approach ensures privacy and comfort for users. Concerns about confidentiality and ease of use are addressed, creating a smooth experience from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, our services in Henderson, AR provide excellent value. Companies of all sizes enjoy the

• competitive pricing structures
• quick results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests make them stand out in Henderson, AR. Their high accuracy in detecting substance use ensures fast and

• reliable results, helping employers make informed decisions quickly.
• The tests provide detailed insights into drug use history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Henderson, AR achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Such tests ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reduce legal risks, and promote safety. Utilizing reliable testing methods also minimizes workplace incidents related to substance use.

Drug Testing Near Henderson, AR

Henderson, 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.

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