Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oil Trough, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by enclosing biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window for up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample of roughly 200 strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We advise weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we refer to scalp hair solely. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This step confirms the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not given by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a quick preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is economical for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified for court acceptance. Samples presumptively positive in Screening require a second confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests discover drug use for up to 90 days, versus the shorter window of urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, leading to more accurate results.
• Supplies historical data: It showcases a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oil Trough, AR

• Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection with its longer window.
• Employers in Oil Trough prefer hair tests for their reliability and inability to be easily cheated.
• The precision of hair testing aids in enforcing strict drug-use policies effectively.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Oil Trough, AR

• Hair follicle testing reviews drug use over a longer span, up to 90 days.
• Employers gain a holistic view of an employee's substance use history.
• This extended window allows for comprehensive assessment beyond immediate consumption.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oil Trough, AR

• Hair follicle tests have a robust resistance to tampering, ensuring genuine results.
• They help minimize the risk of sample adulteration present in other testing methods.
• The authentic results provide employers with trustworthy data for decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Oil Trough, AR

• Our testing centers, including those in Oil Trough, offer easy access to services.
• The nationwide reach ensures employees can get tested without hassle.
• This convenience aids in maintaining consistent and efficient drug testing operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Oil Trough, AR

• The process for hair follicle testing remains simple and respects confidentiality.
• Ordering, conducting, and receiving tests is straightforward and user-friendly.
• This approach addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oil Trough, AR

• Our pricing models ensure competitive rates in Oil Trough, providing great value.
• Fast turnaround times mean companies receive prompt and accurate test results.
• This efficiency supports businesses of all sizes maintaining their budgets and standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oil Trough, AR

• Hair follicle drug tests in Oil Trough deliver results swiftly and with unmatched precision.
• The accuracy of these tests ensures reliable detection of substance use, preventing false-negative outcomes.
• Providing prompt results, these tests support quick decision-making and maintain workplace safety.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oil Trough, AR

• Utilizing hair follicle testing strengthens compliance with drug-free workplace regulations.
• It reduces legal risks by providing credible test results.
• Employers benefit from a safer work environment with structured screening protocols.

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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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