Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Moreland, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substances by trapping biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A segment of 1.5 inches containing about 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional procedures, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair might be used. When mentioning head hair, we specify scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (including facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a lab's system. This involves confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in the majority of specimens, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples tentatively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If a specimen returns tentatively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.

Verification of any positive screen result is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples tentatively positive are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasted with urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to deceive: Hair drug tests are very hard to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate patterns of drug use over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: It requires roughly 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair hue and personal differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though often labeled "hair follicle tests", the test assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Over Urine Testing in Moreland, AR

In the debate of hair versus urine drug tests, hair follicle analysis offers distinct advantages. Unlike urine tests which detect use over a short duration, hair testing provides insights into substance use over a much broader timeframe.

• Longer detection window up to 90 days
• Higher accuracy and fewer false negatives

These benefits position hair tests as a superior choice for employers seeking reliable screening methods.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Moreland, AR, offers a significant advantage: an extended detection window. By analyzing hair samples, tests reveal drug use over a 90-day period, giving employers detailed insights into an individual's substance history.

This method provides a much clearer picture of long-term use patterns than typical urine tests, which primarily focus on recent use, promoting better-informed decisions regarding hiring and workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests conducted in Moreland, AR, present a tamper-resistant solution to drug screening. Unlike urine tests that are more prone to manipulation, hair tests are resilient to adulteration.

This resistance to tampering ensures that the results are both reliable and unquestionable, giving employers confidence in the integrity of their testing procedures and the data they rely on for crucial decision-making processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, including Moreland, AR, accessing hair follicle testing services is convenient and hassle-free. Whether you're in a major city or a local neighborhood, our facilities are readily available.
Our expansive network ensures that you can conveniently book and complete tests without significant travel, providing ease and efficiency for all clients.    

Simple, Confidential Process

In Moreland, AR, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and strictly confidential. Order, undergo testing, and receive results with utmost privacy, addressing any concerns about discretion.

• Effortless ordering process
• Confidential testing experience

The simplistic nature of this approach ensures a stress-free experience for individuals and employers alike, emphasizing user-friendliness and confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

A collaborative effort to offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times positions hair follicle testing in Moreland, AR, as a cost-effective option for companies of all sizes. Quick result times coupled with affordable rates provide excellent value.

Organizations benefit from price efficiency without compromising on the accuracy or speed of obtaining results, ensuring they meet their screening needs effectively and economically.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Moreland, AR, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and quick turnaround. Boasting high accuracy rates, these tests ensure that substance use is detected reliably and swiftly.
As increasingly popular testing methods become more sophisticated, understanding the benefits of hair testing in this area can help you make informed decisions about screening choices.

Not only do hair tests confirm drug use with a much longer detection window, but they also offer speed and precision that surpass traditional methods. Embrace the efficiency of hair testing in Moreland for rapid, dependable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Moreland, AR, greatly benefit from hair follicle testing in terms of compliance and peace of mind. Implementing these tests supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and promoting a safer work environment.

• Ensures policy compliance
• Minimizes legal risks

Employers can rely on the accuracy and reliability of hair tests for maintaining workforce integrity and safety.

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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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