Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oakland, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When extracted from near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in processing a drug test result in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves introducing a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional information not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial glance for substance abuse. Though it is a budget-friendly way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be verified to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that preliminarily test positive during Screening require further verification.

If a sample tests as likely positive during the Screening phase, additional hair from the original sample is used for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging technique to carry out.

Verification of any positive screen result is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to verification, if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests detect within a shorter period.
• Hard to deceive: It's challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Shows usage patterns: Displays a track record of drug consumption over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than other testing techniques.
• Variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When evaluating drug testing methods in Oakland, AR, hair follicle testing outpaces traditional urine tests in accuracy and reliability. The hair method offers undeniable advantages, detecting substance use over longer periods and providing a clearer picture of usage patterns.

Extended Detection Window

Why choose hair follicle testing in Oakland, AR? One compelling reason is the extended detection window of up to 90 days.

Understanding an individual's long-term substance use is vital for determining their aptitude for safety-sensitive roles, reinforcing the hair test's position as a superior method.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Oakland, AR's hair follicle testing method boasts a tamper-resistant nature that significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration.

This robustness in testing allows for conclusive assessments, essential for legal and employment decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Accredited Drug Testing's vast network, residents and businesses in Oakland, AR can utilize conveniently located testing centers nationwide.

Whether local or cross-country, our testing facilities ensure seamless access to hair follicle assessments, catering to varied testing needs with ease.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Oakland, AR is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns head-on.

Our focus on user privacy and ease makes the testing process hassle-free, ensuring peace of mind for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast service in Oakland, AR.

Balancing cost and speed, we cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring quality service without stretching budgets, fostering an environment of reliability and affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Oakland, AR, hair follicle drug tests are lauded for their quick turnaround and dependable results. The precision and efficiency of this testing technique enable rapid detection of substance use, ensuring reliable conclusions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Oakland, AR gain peace of mind through the compliance benefits of hair follicle testing.

By opting for this testing method, organizations contribute to a secure and productive workplace where safety and compliance are prioritized.

Drug Testing Near Oakland, AR

Lead Hill, AR

Diamond City, AR

South Lead Hill, AR

Gamaliel, AR

Yellville, AR

Summit, AR

Mountain Home, AR

Cotter, AR

Gassville, AR

Flippin, AR

Egypt, AR

Clarkridge, AR

Peel, AR

Lakeview, AR

Bull Shoals, AR

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews