Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wilson, AR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This approach offers a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sampled close to the scalp, hair provides a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length, consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil), yields approximately 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional markers, and those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It is advised to use a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair denote scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases in the laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab system. This step involves ensuring the sample's seal and proper shipment, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although cost-effective, this process serves to eliminate drug use in most samples; however, positive screens must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

For samples testing presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for preparation in the Extraction phase. Here, the drug extraction from hair occurs at far lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for the heightened complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing as necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter window.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is notoriously difficult, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Provides usage history: It facilitates the assessment of drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing typically incurs higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual variations in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Wilson, AR, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in several key areas. The ability of hair testing to accurately detect substances over a prolonged period is unmatched, offering superior reliability and reducing the chance of manipulation. Employers increasingly favor hair tests over traditional urine tests for their precise long-term insights into substance use.

Hair follicle testing emerges as a champion over urine testing in Wilson, AR, for detecting drugs with enhanced accuracy. The extended detection window of hair testing provides a broader overview, making it a preferred choice for employers seeking reliable and comprehensive results that urine tests cannot offer.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection capability of hair follicle testing in Wilson, AR, provides a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history. Unlike other methods, hair tests can reveal substance use over a 90-day period, offering employers deeper insights into an applicant's or employee's behavior. This prolonged window makes it a valuable tool for thorough evaluations.

Employers in Wilson, AR, enjoy the benefits of the extended detection window that hair follicle testing offers. With the ability to detect drugs used up to three months prior, companies gain a complete picture of an employee's substance history, aiding decisions concerning safety and policy adherence.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Wilson, AR, significantly mitigate the risk of tampering, offering a trustworthy method for drug detection. The collection process for hair samples is difficult to manipulate, ensuring the integrity of the results and providing businesses with confidence in the validity of their findings.

By employing hair follicle testing, Wilson, AR, organizations can reduce concerns over sample adulteration. This method provides dependable, tamper-resistant results that maintain the reliability of assessments, helping safeguard the value and credibility of the drug testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient national and local centers, including in Wilson, AR, Accredited Drug Testing provides an accessible and hassle-free experience for those seeking hair follicle tests. The extensive network of locations ensures clients have quick and easy access to essential testing services wherever they are.

Accredited Drug Testing's widespread testing centers, including those in Wilson, AR, emphasize convenience and accessibility. By offering numerous strategic locations, individuals and employers can effortlessly utilize services without logistical concerns, ensuring seamless testing processes nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing process in Wilson, AR, is designed to be straightforward and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns clients might have. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is an easy procedure, ensuring peace of mind with every step handled discreetly and efficiently.

For Wilson, AR, clients, hair follicle testing offers a simple and private experience from start to finish. The easy-to-follow process guarantees that ordering and receiving results remains confidential, alleviating any anxiety associated with drug testing while ensuring user-friendly service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing models, Accredited Drug Testing in Wilson, AR, offers affordable solutions without compromising on quality. Employers of all sizes benefit from fast turnaround times, ensuring prompt results that deliver excellent value and foster peace of mind in all testing scenarios.

In Wilson, AR, affordable pricing combined with fast turnaround times sets Accredited Drug Testing apart. The efficient service model supports companies across various industries, offering cost-effective drug screening solutions that maintain high standards and ensure quick, reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wilson, AR, hair follicle tests provide swift and reliably accurate outcomes that are unmatched in precision. These tests, known for their high detection accuracy, deliver trustworthy results through a meticulous analysis process, ensuring minimal errors and optimal reliability. Choosing hair follicle testing means gaining the assurance of fast and precise substance detection.

Companies in Wilson, AR, benefit from the speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug testing, which identifies substance use with remarkable precision. This testing method is celebrated for its consistency and quick return of results, helping employers make well-informed decisions regarding workplace safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Wilson, AR, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace initiatives. By choosing this reliable method, employers reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety, providing peace of mind and ensuring that safety standards are consistently met.

Employers in Wilson, AR, benefit from hair follicle testing by aligning with workplace compliance and drug-free policies. This testing approach reduces legal liabilities and fosters a safer work environment, giving businesses the assurance they need to maintain high standards.

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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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