Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Story, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have emerged as an effective device in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug exposure by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can present an approximate 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drug presence. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is an optimal sample for screening and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is non-available, the same quantity of body hair may be taken. In discussions of head hair, we reference scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into the lab’s system. This process verifies the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid examination for substance abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient manner to eliminate drug usage in most samples, but a verified screen is required for legal validity. Any samples appearing presumptively positive in Screening mandate secondary verification.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is gathered from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most complex methodologies to conduct.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed before confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can signify drug use over a 90-day period, unlike urine tests which offer a briefer detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is strenuous, rendering more credible results.
• Supplies historical information: Provides a chronological drug usage pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Non-detection of recent use: There is a lag of about 5-7 days before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally involve higher costs compared to other testing modalities.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Story, AR, hair follicle testing stands out as a superior methodology for drug detection when compared to urine tests. Hair testing offers notable benefits such as enhanced detection accuracy and a longer detection window.

While urine tests cover a brief detection period, hair tests in Story provide a comprehensive history of substance use, making them a preferred choice for employers and institutions prioritizing reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Story, AR, is renowned for its extended detection window. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited timeframe, these tests can trace drug usage over a period extending up to 90 days, offering a complete account of any past substance use.

Employers in Story, AR, appreciate the comprehensive nature of hair testing. It provides a detailed perspective into an individual's substance history, crucial for making informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Employing hair follicle testing in Story, AR, substantially reduces the chances of sample adulteration. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are inherently tamper-resistant, ensuring reliable and unquestionable outcomes.

This methodology's robustness provides security and certainty for both testers and test subjects, making it a trusted choice in environments where authenticity is paramount.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our hair follicle testing services in Story, AR, are supported by a network of nationwide testing centers. This ensures quick and hassle-free access to testing services, without the inconvenience of traveling long distances.

Localized in Story, AR, the accessibility of our centers guarantees that testing is convenient, streamlining the process for individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Story, AR, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering tests to obtaining results, individuals are assured of privacy and ease of use throughout the procedure.

Our discreet process respects client confidentiality, offering peace of mind and encouraging more individuals to utilize hair testing services in Story, AR.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Story, AR, cater to companies of all sizes. These tests provide excellent value, ensuring quick results without compromising quality.

Affordably priced, our services meet the demands of both small businesses and large corporations, reinforcing confidence with their cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests in Story, AR, offer fast and accurate results. Known for their precision, these tests efficiently detect substance use, providing high accuracy in analysis. This reliability ensures that individuals have confidence in the integrity of the results they receive.

Through advanced technological processes, hair testing in Story, AR, remains unparalleled in speed and precision. These tests yield results that clients can trust, ensuring accurate identification of any substances.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Story, AR, maintaining compliance with workplace drug policies is effortless with hair follicle testing. Ensuring that workplaces remain drug-free, these tests also mitigate legal risks and enhance overall safety, providing employers with peace of mind.

As a foolproof method, hair testing supports a secure working environment, reinforcing the employer's commitment to a safe and lawful workplace.

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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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