Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lambrook, AR

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a detailed historical account of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the developing hair strand fibers. When samples are extracted near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of about 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, or analyses beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, the equivalent volume of body hair can be utilized. When referring to head hair, it denotes only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory steps in drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab's system. It involves confirming that the sample is sealed, properly shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional information not input by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial fast check for drugs. Screening is economical for ruling out drug use on most samples, but any positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Presumptive positives during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase involves removing drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex to execute.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation when necessary. The whole lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, resulting in more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: It traces a pattern of drug use over a period, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to appear detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than other testing options.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing excels in its ability to detect drug use over an extended period. Urine tests often miss instances of prior drug use, while hair tests provide a more comprehensive history, making them preferable for employers aiming to enforce strict drug policies. The superior detection accuracy of hair tests offers an unrivaled level of reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lambrook, AR, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days for drug use. This comprehensive view into an individual’s substance history is especially beneficial for employers assessing potential or current employees. Such tests paint a detailed picture of long-term drug habits, far exceeding the limitations of shorter-term tests like urine assays.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method, greatly reducing the chance of sample adulteration. The reliability of these tests is unmatched, providing unquestionable results that employers can confidently rely on. This resistance to tampering is a significant advantage, ensuring the integrity of test outcomes in Lambrook, AR.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide locations, our testing centers, including those in Lambrook, AR, offer quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services. Our extensive network ensures seamless service availability for individuals and companies, making the process more efficient and less time-consuming.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Lambrook, AR, is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns effectively. This streamlined process assures users of both ease and discretion, essential for maintaining trust in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lambrook, AR, our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced with fast turnaround times. Providing excellent value to companies of all sizes, our efficient services grant peace of mind, knowing that accurate test results are delivered promptly without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lambrook, AR, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. The high accuracy of these tests ensures reliable detection of substance use, minimizing false positives and providing peace of mind for both employers and individuals. With hair testing, results are swift, allowing for timely decision-making in various scenarios, from hiring processes to compliance checks.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lambrook, AR, can ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies by using hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety by maintaining strict adherence to drug policies. Companies benefit from the assurance that their staffs are held to the highest standards of accountability.

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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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