Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Lead Hill, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the sample’s initial integration into a laboratory's workflow. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and incorporates any additional data entry missing from the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening pertains to a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While it's an affordable method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive finding during Screening requires verification for court acceptance. All samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, extra strands are extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accredited per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter duration.
• Difficult to deceive: It is exceedingly hard to falsify a hair test, thereby enhancing the reliability of results.
• Insights into usage patterns: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of short-term detection: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the testing process actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in South Lead Hill, AR
Hair testing is preferable over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities. This method provides a longer detection window and higher reliability, making it especially beneficial for employers and institutions that require precise and trustworthy drug use assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in South Lead Hill, AR
Hair follicle testing in South Lead Hill, AR, captures drug usage information over an extended period of up to 90 days. This long detection window gives employers and authorities a comprehensive view of substance history, aiding in better decision-making and monitoring strategies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in South Lead Hill, AR
Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage over other methods by reducing the potential for sample tampering. Its design ensures that results are reliable and trustworthy, granting employers and institutions the confidence needed when assessing substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in South Lead Hill, AR
Our extensive network of testing centers makes accessing drug testing services a seamless experience. Whether you're in South Lead Hill or any other location nationwide, our facilities guarantee quick and convenient testing options.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in South Lead Hill, AR
The process for ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and private. This approach addresses any privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use, making it an ideal choice for those in South Lead Hill, AR.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in South Lead Hill, AR
Our competitive pricing and rapid result times for hair follicle tests offer substantial value. These services cater to businesses of varying sizes in South Lead Hill, fostering peace of mind through cost-effective and timely testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in South Lead Hill, AR
In South Lead Hill, AR, hair follicle tests offer unmatched precision. Their capability to detect various substances accurately provides assurance in testing outcomes. This method is not only quick but also delivers results that are hard to contest, making it a trusted choice for those who prioritize accurate drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in South Lead Hill, AR
Utilizing hair follicle tests assures employers of adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method decreases legal risks and enhances safety, providing peace of mind by ensuring a compliant and secure work 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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