Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Knobel, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For tests including EtG, additional panels, and/or those over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, it pertains strictly to scalp hair. Body hair includes other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of drug test results primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This step involves checking that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any extra data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial swift test for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug usage in most samples, confirmed results are needed for legal admissibility. All samples testing presumptively positive in Screening must go through a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample return a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drug substances are drawn out of hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a notably challenging procedure to conduct.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are subjected to washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair mandate and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection period.
• Less likelihood of fraud: It is exceedingly hard to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Records historical consumption: It can highlight drug usage trends over a timespan, rather than only recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments tend to be costlier compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variance: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth might impact the level of drug metabolites present in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Leads in Knobel, AR

Hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy, surpassing traditional urine tests. Not only does it provide an extensive window of detection, but it also ensures reliability and precision employers trust. In comparison, urine tests offer a narrower scope, particularly effective only for recent substance use, leaving gaps in the detection timeline.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing enables employers in Knobel, AR to access a broader insight into an individual's drug history. With a detection window spanning up to 90 days, this method empowers organizations to assess potential and current employees thoroughly, offering unmatched depth in monitoring past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing Methods

Hair follicle tests in Knobel, AR minimize the risk of sample tampering, providing reliable outcomes. Unlike urine tests, which can succumb to adulteration, hair testing's robust methodology ensures results remain credible and consistent, granting employers confidence in their substance use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Reach

With our extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including facilities in Knobel, AR, accessing our services is straightforward and hassle-free. This makes hair follicle testing accessible to all, providing convenience and ease of access for both individuals and organizations alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Confidential

The hair follicle testing process in Knobel, AR is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, our procedures ensure privacy and ease, addressing any apprehensions about security or complexity, while maintaining a high standard of service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Swift Results

In Knobel, AR, our hair follicle testing services offer unbeatable value through competitive pricing and quick result turnaround. We cater to companies of all sizes, ensuring excellent quality and affordability, helping organizations manage their drug testing needs effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Testing

In Knobel, AR, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapid processing and high precision. This method ensures quick turnaround times and confident detection of substance use, aiding employers in making informed decisions. As a result, hair tests have become the go-to solution for those seeking both speed and accuracy in drug screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Assured Compliance and Peace of Mind

Employers in Knobel, AR can gain peace of mind knowing their workplace remains compliant with drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. This sophisticated testing process reduces legal liabilities while enhancing safety, ensuring a secure and productive work environment for all.

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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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