Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Scottsville, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as a significant instrument for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances, as biomarkers become embedded in the fibers of the hair that is growing. Hair collected near the scalp is capable of revealing drug and alcohol use over a roughly 3-month time frame. It is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and straightforward to transport.

A hair specimen of 1.5 inches with around 200 strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp will yield 100mg, an optimal amount for screening and confirmatory tests. For EtG, extra tests, and/or those with more than 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of sample. We suggest confirming the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equal volume of body hair may be collected as a substitution. Reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for processing drug test results in the lab encompasses four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is incorporated into a laboratory's system. This includes ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary additional data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though it offers a cost-effective approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples presumed positive during Screening require secondary verification.

When a sample tests positive in Screening, additional hair from the original sample is utilized and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other tests (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing a highly challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcomes is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before Confirmation, if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a period of up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which offer a reduced detection span.
• Hard to falsify: There is great difficulty in tampering with a hair drug test, thereby ensuring more precise results.
• Offers usage pattern: It provides insight into patterns of drug use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically more costly than other testing options.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Scottsville, AR, the benefits are clear. Hair tests offer superior accuracy and reliability over an extended period.

• Longer detection windows ensure comprehensive analysis.
• Reliability exceeds traditional methods.
• Accuracy is less prone to tampering and false negatives.

Extended Detection Window

In Scottsville, AR, hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window, capturing substance use over up to 90 days. This provides employers with a thorough overview of an individual's history.

• Insightful history outlines long-term patterns.
• Diverse detection can cover a wide array of substances.
• Reliable insights assist in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Scottsville, AR significantly reduce the possibility of sample tampering, ensuring reliable results. These tests offer a method that's nearly impossible to adulterate.

• Reduces risks of result adulteration.
• Unquestionable outcomes enhance trust in findings.
• Secure processes boost result integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Scottsville, AR, enjoy the convenience of our extensive testing locations nationwide. Accessing our services is quick, easy, and hassle-free, offering solutions wherever you are.

• Wide network ensures convenient access.
• Locals and nation-wide options provide flexibility.
• Streamlined services reduce wait times and travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Scottsville, AR, our straightforward and confidential process ensures privacy when ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results. Ease of use meets secure data handling.

• Ordering is simple and user-friendly.
• Confidential testing ensures privacy.
• Secure result delivery prioritizes client confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Experience affordable pricing and fast turnaround times with hair follicle testing in Scottsville, AR. Our competitive pricing structures provide excellent value, ensuring peace of mind for all company sizes.

• Competitive pricing structures reduce costs.
• Efficient processes deliver rapid results.
• Value-driven opportunities optimize investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Scottsville, AR, hair follicle testing provides unmatched precision and quick results in detecting substance use. Compared to conventional methods, these tests stand out in their accuracy, ensuring dependable outcomes for various needs.

• Speedy results delivery enhances decision-making capabilities.
• High sensitivity ensures comprehensive substance detection.
• Trustworthiness offers peace of mind with every result.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Scottsville, AR experience compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing safety.

• Ensures adherence to drug policies.
• Minimizes potential legal ramifications.
• Strengthens the safety of workplace environments.

Drug Testing Near Scottsville, AR

Riverside, AR

Dardanelle, AR

Hagarville, AR

Smyrna, AR

Atkins, AR

Georgetown, AR

Pottsville, AR

London, AR

Jerusalem, AR

Russellville, AR

Appleton, AR

Moreland, AR

Dover, AR

Rock Springs, AR

Hector, 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