Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lockesburg, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about three months for alcohol and various drugs. It's easy to collect, fairly resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (close in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair specimen is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If hair from the scalp is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair might be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into a lab's system. This step verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary additional data entry if not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening implements a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While this cost-effective method can rule out drug use on most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction process. Drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can indicate drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which capture a shorter period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Tracks historical data: It outlines a usage trend across time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Detection in hair takes about 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Lockesburg, AR, stands out for its superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests.

• Extended detection period up to 90 days.
• Difficult to tamper with.
• Reliable result interpretation.

Extended Detection Window

One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing in Lockesburg, AR, is its extended detection window. Employers gain insight into an individual’s substance history, up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive view of their behavioral patterns.

• Long-term detection offers better screening.
• Not limited to recent drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lockesburg, AR, hair follicle tests provide a robust, tamper-resistant testing method. This minimizes the risk of fake samples or deliberate adulteration.

• Observed sample collection.
• Integrity is maintained throughout the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With readily accessible testing locations nationwide, including in Lockesburg, AR, convenience and accessibility are hallmarks of our service.

• Numerous centers for quick testing.
• Easy access to services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Lockesburg, AR, is simple and confidential, ensuring that your privacy is respected.

• Streamlined ordering process.
• Confidential result handling.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

By offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Lockesburg, AR, we ensure the process delivers excellent value.

• Competitive pricing structures.
• Rapid result dissemination.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lockesburg, AR, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results that are second to none. The precision of these tests surpasses traditional methods, providing employers with trustworthy data on substance use. With high accuracy, hair testing is indispensable for substance detection.
Faster and more specific than other methods, hair tests ensure your drug testing process is both efficient and dependable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lockesburg, AR, benefit from compliance with drug-free policies by using hair follicle testing. This method helps reduce legal risks while enhancing safety.

• Ensures adherence to workplace regulations.
• Peace of mind through precise identification.

Drug Testing Near Lockesburg, AR

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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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