Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Scott, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers as they grow, offering an extended timeline for monitoring alcohol and drugs. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal a drug usage history of up to three months. It's straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to send for analysis.

A 1.5-inch strand collection from near the scalp, approximately 200 individual hairs (roughly like a #2 pencil), yields 100mg, which is best for screening and confirmation. For those requiring EtG, add-ons, and beyond 10-panel tests, it's advisable to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, body hair can be used as an alternative. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, whereas "Body hair" encompasses other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The core stages in laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the preliminary integration of a specimen into a lab's process. This step validates the correct sealing and dispatch of the sample, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data input absent in the electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Although a cost-efficient means to dismiss drug presence in most cases, a screen returning positive requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Any presumptive positives identified in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

For samples with presumptive positives from Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for use in Extraction. Drugs are drawn from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging method.

Confirming a positive screening outcome involves using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection: Hair tests can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter ranges.
• Hard to falsify: A hair drug examination is nearly impossible to manipulate, resulting in more credible results.
• Shows usage trends: It offers a timeline of drug use over an extended period, unlike merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection of recent use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing often incurs higher costs than other methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer, as the examination focuses on analyzing hair strands rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Scott, AR offers better detection accuracy and reliability. Hair samples provide a comprehensive history of drug use, ensuring a thorough assessment and reducing the likelihood of false negatives.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Scott, AR allows employers to evaluate an individual's long-term substance history, leading to informed hiring decisions based on comprehensive data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The robust methodology of hair follicle tests significantly lowers the potential for tampering. This test provides Scott, AR with consistent and verified results, eliminating doubts regarding the integrity of the sample.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Scott, AR benefits from convenient nationwide and local testing centers for hassle-free access. Accredited Drug Testing guarantees easy and swift test services, ensuring clients' needs are met quickly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Scott, AR is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results is easy, addressing any privacy concerns clients may have by ensuring their data is securely handled.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift result turnover, hair follicle testing in Scott, AR provides excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from quick responses at affordable rates, ensuring satisfaction with both cost and service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Scott, AR, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their expediency and precision, detecting substance use with high accuracy. These tests deliver fast results, providing both the applicant and the employer with peace of mind regarding reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Scott, AR can enjoy peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring they are in compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method minimizes legal risks and fosters a safer working environment.

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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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