Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Knoxville, AR

What it is, How it works

The analysis of hair has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol presence. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection span of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, reasonably challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For tests exceeding 10 panels, including EtG, and/or other extensions, 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. In terms of head hair, this means scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in processing a drug test outcome in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning begins with the introductory processing of a sample into a lab's system. This entails verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional information not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial brief examination for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug consumption in most cases, a positive screen needs verifying for it to be acceptable in court. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate further verification.

For samples appearing presumptively positive in Screening, more hair is drawn from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this stage, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing the most complex technique to execute.

Verification of any positive Screening result is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples showing presumptive positivity are washed before confirmation as required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets accreditation to the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage over a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring more accurate results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a pattern of drug use over time instead of just reflecting recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Inconsistency in results: Aspects like hair coloration and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination processes the hair strand and not the underlying hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in Knoxville, AR due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests offer a longer detection window and are less susceptible to tampering. This makes them the preferred choice for organizations with stringent drug-free policies.

Employers benefit from hair testing's ability to uncover patterns of drug use over an extended period, offering better compliance with workplace safety standards.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Knoxville, AR provides an extended detection window, tracing drug use up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a complete understanding of a candidate or employee's substance use history. The long detection period is critical for maintaining a drug-free work environment.

Employers can confidently vet potential hires, knowing that hair testing offers insights beyond the short-term detection capabilities of traditional drug tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Knoxville, AR is a tamper-resistant method that significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. Its reliability and accuracy ensure unquestionable results, making it a trustworthy solution for detecting drug use.

The difficult nature of altering results from hair samples provides employers with peace of mind, knowing the integrity of the test process is maintained at all times.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Knoxville, AR offers convenient access to our widespread nationwide testing locations. This ease of access ensures quick, hassle-free services anytime they are needed. Our local centers ensure minimal wait times for scheduling and conducting drug tests.

Clients can rely on the availability of our comprehensive, nationwide network of testing centers for efficient drug testing, whenever and wherever it is required.

Simple, Confidential Process

Knoxville, AR's drug testing process is simple and confidential, reassuring users about their privacy. The seamless ordering, testing, and result-receiving stages are designed for ease of use, assuring clients that their information remains secure.

The straightforward procedures ensure that users can confidently complete the necessary steps without concern over privacy breaches or complexities.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Knoxville, AR, our drug testing services boast competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing exceptional value to businesses of all sizes. The affordability paired with the swift process ensures that companies can meet their testing requirements without financial strain.

The value we offer lies in not only cost efficiency but also the rapid delivery of results, enhancing employer satisfaction and productivity.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Knoxville, AR, hair follicle drug tests offer quick, precise results, ensuring high accuracy in substance use detection. Their ability to detect even trace amounts of drugs makes them a more reliable option compared to alternative methods. By identifying drug use promptly, employers can make informed decisions with confidence.

The efficiency of hair follicle testing provides fast turnaround times, enabling workplace administrators to address potential issues without delay. This swift process enhances the overall reliability and trustworthiness of test outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Knoxville, AR can achieve compliance and peace of mind through the use of hair follicle drug testing. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, this testing method helps mitigate legal risks and promotes a safe working environment.

By utilizing hair testing, companies demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining a secure and productive workplace, benefiting both employees and management alike.

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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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