Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Marvell, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method to detect drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer close to a three-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, an ideal quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug tests involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into a lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening consists of a preliminary and swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug presence in most samples, any positive result needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

In the event of a positive presumptive result in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex process to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Tracks historical patterns: It can reveal a trend of drug usage over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Inconsistent results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Marvell, AR, hair follicle testing is proving superior to traditional urine tests. One of its major benefits is its precision in detecting substance use over extended periods, which urine tests lack. Moreover, hair testing provides enhanced reliability, minimizing false positives and negatives, thereby assuring a clearer picture for employers and individuals.

Extended Detection Window

The main strength of hair follicle testing in Marvell, AR lies in its ability to detect drug use over a longer duration—up to 90 days. This extended detection window allows for a detailed understanding of an individual's substance history, offering employers a broader perspective compared to the shorter window provided by urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests deployed in Marvell, AR are recognized for their resistance to tampering. The sampling method is stringent, making it exceedingly difficult to alter or adulterate the specimens. With such robust defense against manipulation, the results delivered are unbiased and definitive.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our widespread network of testing centers across the nation grants Marvell, AR easy access to hair testing services. This nationwide coverage allows for a convenient, prompt testing experience that is stress-free and readily accessible, assisting both individual and corporate testing needs seamlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair drug testing in Marvell, AR is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to sample collection and receiving results, every step is designed to be simple and discreet. This ensures that the privacy of test participants is upheld, catering to concerns about usability and confidentiality with ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Marvell, AR, we offer competitive pricing for our hair follicle testing without compromising speed. Rapid turnaround times complement our affordable rates, delivering excellent value for companies seeking reliable testing solutions, reflecting both the economic and operational potential of our services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Marvell, AR are distinguished by their fast and precise results. The test's intrinsic design accurately identifies substances, reflecting a high level of dependability. This advantageous method guarantees promptness, reducing wait times significantly, ensuring that individuals and employers receive reliable data swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Marvell, AR helps maintain adherence to drug-free workplace policies. It significantly reduces legal risks associated with negligent hiring and enhances overall workplace safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are compliant while ensuring a secure workforce environment.

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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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