Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lundell, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance intake by retaining biomarkers in the structures of the growing hair strand. When procured close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches containing around 200 strands of hair (akin to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will offer 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for analysis and validation. For assessing EtG, extras, and/or panels beyond 10, it's recommended to have 150mg of the specimen. We suggest weighing the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is present, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Summary

The primary four stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory system. This step includes confirming the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be admissible in legal settings. Any samples that are presumably positive in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive receive a wash prior to confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 standards certification.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can recognize drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to deceive: It's notably hard to manipulate results on a hair drug test, thus boosting accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a timeline of drug intake over a period, versus just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to identify recent intake: Drugs usually appear in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expenses: Generally more costly compared to other drug analysis methods.
• Outcome variances: Aspects like hair color and growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing in Lundell, AR are vast. Hair tests provide a more comprehensive and longer detection window, making them superior in accuracy. Employers and organizations prioritize the precision and extended timeframe for detecting substances, ensuring a reliable assessment of an individual’s history of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

With a 90-day detection window, hair follicle testing in Lundell, AR provides an extensive view of drug usage. Unlike other tests, it captures a long-term record of substance consumption, offering employers a broad understanding of a candidate’s or employee’s drug history, which aids in making informed hiring or retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Lundell, AR minimizes the risk of sample tampering. Secure collection methods and the nature of hair testing eliminate many opportunities for adulteration, guaranteeing that the results are trustworthy and reflective of an individual’s genuine substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers available both nationwide and locally in Lundell, AR, our services offer unparalleled convenience. Clients can access drug testing easily and quickly, removing logistical barriers and streamlining the testing process for businesses and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Lundell, AR for hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are designed for ease of use. Privacy concerns are addressed with professional standards, ensuring that individuals and employers receive secure and discreet service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lundell, AR, our hair follicle testing is competitively priced. With affordable rates and swift turnaround times, companies can enjoy excellent value without sacrificing quality, making drug testing accessible and economically viable for businesses of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lundell, AR, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their quick and precise results. The speed of obtaining accurate, credible information about substance use is unmatched. Clients benefit from the efficient service, which ensures timely and trustworthy outcomes, positioning hair testing as a leading method in drug detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lundell, AR gain peace of mind and compliance assurance by utilizing hair follicle drug tests. Aligning with workplace drug-free policies, these tests reduce legal risks, enhance safety, and support a culture of responsibility and well-being, ensuring organizational standards are upheld.

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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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