Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mountainburg, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent means for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by retaining biomarkers within the strands’ fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can indicate alcohol and drug use for a period extending to roughly three months. Collecting hair is easy, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches containing around 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair—the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair not be an option, a similar volume of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses any other type of hair (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The primary four stages in the lab handling of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes checking that the sample is correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any required data not available from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening constitutes a preliminary quick test for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug presence in most samples, a positive screen result must be verified for legal acceptability. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If the Screening phase results in a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptively positive specimens are washed as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal substance usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a reduced detection capacity.
• Cheating deterrent: Tampering with hair drug tests is extremely challenging, enhancing result credibility.
• Captures historical usage: It identifies drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Detection of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Cost-factor: Hair drug tests usually incur higher expenses compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the actual hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests through its ability to deliver more dependable results in Mountainburg, AR. Employers and institutions increasingly prefer hair analysis due to its extensive detection period and resistance to tampering, offering a superior alternative to conventional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Mountainburg, AR, offers an extensive detection window of up to 90 days. This prolonged period provides a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, aiding employers in making informed decisions regarding potential hires and current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Mountainburg, AR, benefits from hair follicle testing's robust resistance to tampering. The method ensures integrity by considerably reducing sample adulteration risks, providing employers with unquestionable and reliable testing outcomes that uphold high standards of accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Conveniently located testing centers in Mountainburg, AR, facilitate easy and prompt access to hair follicle drug testing. Our national network ensures hassle-free service for individuals and businesses seeking reliable and efficient testing solutions across various locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing procedure in Mountainburg, AR, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From the ordering process through sample collection to receiving results, every step emphasizes privacy and simplicity, addressing potential concerns and assuring participants of their confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround, our hair follicle testing services in Mountainburg, AR, deliver excellent value. Businesses of all sizes benefit from affordable rates, combined with swift results that foster confidence and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The reliability and precision of hair follicle drug testing stand out in Mountainburg, AR. Test results offer high accuracy with fast turnaround times, enabling prompt and effective substance use screening. Such efficiency ensures that employers and individuals receive results they can trust in a timely manner.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Mountainburg, AR, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace regulations. Employers gain peace of mind through reduced legal liability and enhanced safety, fostering a secure and compliant environment for all members of the organization.

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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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