Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Meyers, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now considered an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended history of substance usage as it captures biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands. When samples are cut near the scalp, they can reveal a detection span extending up to about 90 days for various substances. Hair samples are easy to collect, inherently resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of about 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the area nearest to the scalp gathers around 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both testing and verification. For EtG, additional requirements, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is preferred. It is advised to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, the same quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug tests is separated into four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning begins with the integration of a sample into the laboratory system. This stage includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment to detect drugs of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for dismissing drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Any sample marked as presumptively positive requires a follow-up confirmation.

In cases where the Screening indicates presumptive positivity, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at concentrations much lower than found in other sample types (such as urine or saliva), underscoring why hair drug analysis is the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive test outcome utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed as needed. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, receives scrutiny under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conformity to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug testing can identify substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter period.
• Difficult to tamper with: Hair drug testing is notably challenging to manipulate, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Records usage patterns: It can depict a trend in drug use over time, rather than only revealing recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detection in hair takes approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than other testing options.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and personal growth differences can influence the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often called “hair follicle tests,” the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the scalp’s hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Meyers, AR, hair testing offers superior detection and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which only identify recent drug use, hair follicle tests reveal a longer history of substance use. This improved detection ability from hair tests provides a more comprehensive view of an individual’s drug use patterns, making them a more reliable choice for employers and organizations enforcing stringent drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Meyers, AR, offers an extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug use history. This longer detection period allows employers to gain a deeper understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance use history. By evaluating drug usage over a prolonged timeframe, hair testing provides a comprehensive overview, ensuring more informed decision-making in workplace environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Meyers, AR, significantly minimize tampering risks, delivering trustworthy and indisputable results. The method of collecting hair samples substantially reduces the chances of adulteration compared to urine tests. The rigorous collection and testing process assure reliable results that are difficult to manipulate, offering peace of mind to organizations focused on maintaining strict drug-free environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our convenient nationwide testing centers, including locations in Meyers, AR, accessing drug testing services is quick and hassle-free. Our extensive network ensures that you have easy and efficient access to testing, no matter where you are situated. The widespread availability guarantees minimal disruption and timely processing for all your drug testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Meyers, AR, is simple and confidential. From ordering a test to collecting samples and receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness. This discreet approach ensures that personal information remains protected while delivering efficient and straightforward testing experiences that meet client expectations.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Meyers, AR, offers affordable pricing with a fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing ensures that businesses of all sizes receive excellent value without compromising quality or speed. Quick result generation enables timely decision-making, offering assurance and satisfaction to employers seeking efficient drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Meyers, AR, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. These tests quickly and accurately identify substance usage, making them a preferred choice for individuals and organizations. The accuracy of hair follicle testing ensures that both recent and older substance use is detected effectively, minimizing the chances of false results and enhancing the reliability of testing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Meyers, AR, benefit from hair follicle testing as it assures compliance with workplace drug policies. This testing method minimizes legal risks and enhances the safety of the work environment. By favoring hair testing, companies can ensure adherence to drug-free standards, reducing potential liabilities and promoting a healthier and more productive workplace.

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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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