Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jasper, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as a strong method for detecting the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair strands capture biomarkers in their fibers, providing an extended history of substance use. When clipped near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenges tampering, and is hassle-free to transport.

To obtain the ideal sample for screening and verification, a 1.5-inch length containing roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) is ideal, yielding 100mg of hair. For EtG and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to gauge the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, the equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in the laboratory consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is processed into the lab's system. This step involves checking the sample's seal and shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry missing from the electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening step is an initial check for substances of abuse. While it serves as a cost-effective means to eliminate drug use in most cases, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. All samples that are presumptively positive during Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

Presumptively positive samples in the Screening phase result in additional hair being extracted for further preparation. In the Extraction stage, drugs are retrieved at lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Drug Confirmation in positive screens engages GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptively positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The whole lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, complies with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests have a detection window of about 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter range.
• Resistance to cheating: Hair drug testing is challenging to undermine, yielding more reliable results.
• Chronological insights: It provides a history of drug use over time, not just immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair strands.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly when compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," this test actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Jasper, AR

When comparing hair follicle testing with traditional urine exams in Jasper, AR, superior detection accuracy becomes evident. Hair tests yield wider detection windows and reliability in results, confirming longstanding or repeated substance use where urine tests may fall short.

• Extended detection periods.
• Minimized risk of sample tampering.
• Reliable, unbiased results.

Employers benefit from the enhanced insights gained through hair testing, ensuring a safer and more productive workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Jasper, AR

Hair follicle testing is unmatched in its ability to capture drug use over the long term, offering a window of up to 90 days. This extensive period equips employers with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, unlike shorter-term tests.

By analyzing hair samples, employers in Jasper, AR can gain valuable insights into patterns of drug use, making this method invaluable for screening and ongoing employment assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Jasper, AR

Reliability is paramount in drug testing, and hair follicle tests provide just that. The process significantly decreases the chances of sample tampering, ensuring that test results remain trustworthy and unequivocal.

• Secure sample collection process.
• Reduced manipulation risks.
• Ensures authentic results every time.

Jasper, AR employers rely on hair testing to maintain integrity and confidence in substance use evaluations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Jasper, AR

Accredited Drug Testing simplifies access through its extensive network of nationwide centers, including local sites in Jasper, AR. This ensures efficient and hassle-free testing experiences wherever needed.

• Quick, easy access to testing locations.
• Streamlines the testing process.
• Guarantees a seamless user experience.

Employers and individuals appreciate the convenience and availability of our nationwide testing infrastructure.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Jasper, AR

With a streamlined process, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that ordering, administering, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests remain simple and private. Clients can proceed with confidence regarding confidentiality concerns.

• Efficient and straightforward testing procedures.
• Ensures privacy and ease of access.
• Maintains client confidentiality at every step.

This careful attention to privacy underscores our commitment to a trusted testing experience in Jasper, AR.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Jasper, AR

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can afford reliable testing services. With a quick turnaround time, employers benefit from both financial value and peace of mind.

• Cost-effective testing solutions.
• Swift, reliable results delivery.
• Balances quality with affordability effectively.

Our clients in Jasper, AR enjoy the economic advantage of high-quality testing within their budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The high accuracy and swift processing of hair follicle drug tests in Jasper, AR provide a significant advantage. These tests quickly detect substance use with remarkable precision, ensuring reliable results in a timely manner. This efficacy helps employers make informed decisions promptly, enhancing workplace safety by identifying substance use early.

Employers in Jasper, AR can trust the promptness of hair follicle screenings. The rapid and accurate results deliver a level of assurance that traditional methods like urine tests struggle to match, assuring businesses of the consistency and dependability of hair testing processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Jasper, AR

Employers aiming to adhere strictly to drug-free policies find assurance in hair follicle tests. This method significantly mitigates legal liabilities and enhances workplace security through stringent compliance.

• Aligns with strict drug-free initiatives.
• Reduces potential legal conflicts.
• Bolsters overall sense of workplace safety.

Regular implementation ensures employers are protected and respected in their commitment to a safe 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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