Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Johnson, AR

What it is, How it works

Seen as an effective measure for identifying drug and alcohol usage, hair testing offers an extended history of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. A sample of hair collected near the scalp can provide an approximately three-month detection timeline for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to deliver.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp gives 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair not be attainable, an equivalent amount of body hair might be used. When mentioned, head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair indicates other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result principally involves Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning sets off with the initial processing of a sample within a laboratory's system. This step ensures that the sample is sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening executes a preliminary fast check for substance abuse. While Screening economically rules out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen needs validation for court admissibility. Any samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessity secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptive positive in the Screening stage, more hair is taken from the initial specimen for Extraction preparation. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair in much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS conduct Confirmation of any positive Screening result. Before confirmation, all presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests detect drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter window.
• Harder to evade detection: Hair drug tests are challenging to compromise, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: Exhibits a pattern of drug use over time, unlike tests that show only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and different hair growth rates may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Johnson, AR, hair follicle testing stands superior over urine testing. Its advantages include higher detection accuracy and reliability.
Hair tests offer a wider detection window, vastly improving their effectiveness over traditional urine options.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Johnson, AR, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, providing comprehensive insights into the drug use history of employees or applicants.
This long-term view aids employers in making informed decisions about their workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Johnson, AR's hair follicle tests reduce tampering significantly compared to other methods. This secure approach ensures the authenticity of results, leaving no room for adulteration.
Unquestionable results enhance trust for both employers and individuals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Johnson, AR, our nationwide testing centers provide convenience with easy access to necessary services.
Both local and nationwide centers guarantee a straightforward and efficient testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Johnson, AR, is straightforward and confidential, from ordering, taking the test, to receiving results.
Privacy is a priority, ensuring a seamless process with no complications.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid processing, hair follicle testing in Johnson, AR, is cost-effective.
The fast turnaround and affordability make it a valuable choice for companies of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Johnson, AR, provides fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. These tests swiftly identify substance use with remarkable precision.
The accuracy of hair testing significantly boosts its reliability among employers and professionals seeking trustworthy results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Johnson, AR, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, giving employers peace of mind.
It minimizes legal risks while enhancing workplace safety and policy adherence.

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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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