Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ulm, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive history of alcohol and other drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximately 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat tough to alter, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for screening and verification. For EtG tests, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. Head hair pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial processing of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This consists of verifying if the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid check for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening indeed require a secondary verification.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is extremely tough to deceive a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Furnishes historical data: It can supply a pattern of drug use over an extended period, not just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: It takes approximately 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses are typically costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Results variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Ulm, AR, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing due to its superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests capture a longer detection period, which means they can identify drug use when urine tests might not. This makes hair follicle testing a more effective choice for comprehensive drug detection, providing a clearer picture of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a key benefit in Ulm, AR. This testing method can detect drug use up to 90 days back, offering a thorough view of an individual's substance use history. This long detection period is especially valuable for employers who need to assess an applicant or employee’s drug use over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Ulm, AR, hair follicle testing provides a robust deterrent against sample tampering. The nature of hair samples makes them difficult to adulterate, thus offering an advantage over other testing methods. With hair tests, the integrity of the results is preserved, ensuring that the findings are both reliable and indisputable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationwide and local testing centers, including those in Ulm, AR, makes hair follicle testing easily accessible. By choosing our services, individuals and organizations can experience quick and hassle-free testing, with numerous available locations ensuring there's always a center nearby.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for undergoing hair follicle testing in Ulm, AR is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering and taking the test, along with receiving the results, prioritizes privacy and ease. This ensures peace of mind for individuals concerned about confidentiality while benefiting from a straightforward procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in Ulm, AR boast competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. This makes us an affordable option for companies of all sizes, providing excellent value with rapid and dependable results. Our pricing structures are designed to provide cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ulm, AR, the efficiency and speed of hair follicle drug tests stand out. These tests offer incredibly accurate results quickly, making them an ideal choice for anyone needing fast and reliable substance detection. Their precision is unmatched, ensuring that any drug use is not only detected promptly but also accurately reflected in the results received.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ulm, AR can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies and significantly reduces the risk of legal issues. By using hair tests, employers can enhance safety while showcasing their commitment to maintaining a drug-free 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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