Hair Follicle Drug Testing - O'kean, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal a history of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will acquire 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or screens exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. In reference to head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in a lab consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample as it enters a lab’s system. This step includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing extra data entries absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary fast evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though it serves as an economical option to discount drug usage for most samples, any positive finding requires Confirmation to hold up in legal contexts. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening are subject to subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and set for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are separated from the hair at much lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing when necessary before confirmation. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use history extending up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a reduced detection window.
• Tough to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is quite tough, which enhances result reliability.
• Historical data provision: It offers a drug use pattern over a period, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: A time of around 5-7 days is necessary for drug detection in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur more costs than other drug-test methods.
• Result variations: Varied factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: In O'Kean, AR, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. It has a longer detection period, providing a comprehensive view of substance use history. This makes hair testing a more reliable method for employers looking for detailed insights.

Furthermore, hair follicle tests deter cheating, unlike urine tests, which can be more easily tampered with. This aspect of hair testing contributes to the integrity and dependability of the results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window: Hair follicle testing in O'Kean, AR, allows for drug use detection over an extended period, up to 90 days. This extended window provides employers with a thorough understanding of employees' substance use history, crucial for making informed hiring or retention decisions.

This long detection timeframe distinguishes hair testing from other methods, enabling the identification of patterns in drug use that would otherwise go unnoticed with shorter detection period tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: Hair follicle testing greatly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration in O'Kean, AR, offering results that can be trusted. This testing method provides clear, reliable, and undeniable evidence of substance use without the complications of other testing techniques.

This tamper-resistant attribute of hair testing makes it a preferred choice for employers seeking authenticity and accuracy in their drug testing programs, thereby safeguarding the workplace environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: With testing centers available across the nation and locally in O'Kean, AR, our drug testing services offer unmatched convenience. Easy access to testing facilities ensures a quick, hassle-free process for all clients.

Whether you need testing in your area or across different locations, our comprehensive network simplifies the testing process, providing a seamless experience for individuals and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process: In O'Kean, AR, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential, addressing concerns over privacy and usability. From ordering to obtaining results, we prioritize a smooth and private experience.

This streamlined process ensures ease of use, making it accessible for everyone while safeguarding individuals' confidentiality and respecting privacy throughout the entire testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: We offer competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing in O'Kean, AR. Our services provide excellent value, ensuring peace of mind for companies of varying sizes.

With a focus on affordability and efficiency, our testing services help employers balance cost-effectiveness with the need for prompt and reliable results, supporting their ongoing commitment to workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results: In O'Kean, AR, hair follicle drug tests boast exceptional precision and speed. These tests are known for their high accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring that employers receive quick and dependable results for informed decision-making.

By leveraging advanced testing technology, hair follicle tests provide rapid outcomes without compromising on the reliability of the results. This efficiency is a crucial benefit for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free workplace in O'Kean.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Utilizing hair follicle testing in O'Kean, AR, ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks associated with drug use, enhances safety, and provides peace of mind for employers by maintaining a secure work environment.

By conducting hair follicle drug tests, companies demonstrate their commitment to safety and regulatory compliance, thereby promoting a healthier work atmosphere and protecting their workforce from potential hazards.

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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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