Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Little Rock, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged account of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers in the hair's fibers as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around 90 days for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment, containing roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, an ideal sample for testing and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional panels, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. References to head hair imply only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (including facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a specimen into a lab's system. This step checks that the specimen was securely sealed and correctly shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a quick preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to rule out drug use for most specimens, a positive screen must be validated for court acceptance. Specimens that register presumptive positives in Screening require further verification.

If Screening detects a presumptive positive, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than through other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), reflecting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive specimens undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection window.
• Hard to tamper with: The difficulty of manipulating a hair drug test enhances the reliability of the results.
• Historical insight: It captures a pattern of drug usage over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis examines the hair strand and not the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Little Rock, MS
Hair testing superiorly surpasses traditional urine checks due to its enhanced detection capability and reliability. With a longer detection window, hair tests provide a clear view of substance use history, unlike urine tests, which are limited to recent exposure.
Employers and professionals trust hair analysis for its comprehensive, cheat-proof outcomes and better compliance with stringent drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Little Rock, MS
Hair follicle testing offers an impressive detection span, capturing drug use up to 90 days. This extended timeframe is crucial for employers to gain a well-rounded perspective of an applicant or employee's substance history.
The ability to reveal prolonged substance use allows for a more informed hiring or monitoring process, enhancing workplace integrity and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Little Rock, MS
Hair follicle tests are fundamentally resistant to tampering, significantly mitigating risks of sample adulteration. This ensures that results are credible and unequivocally reliable.
Employers benefit from the assurance of authenticity, knowing that their drug testing protocols uphold the highest standards of protection against deception.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Little Rock, MS
Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers ensures effortless access to testing services, accommodating both local communities and broader geographic demands.
Enjoy quick and ministrationless access to testing centers, providing comprehensive testing services tailored to your needs with unparalleled convenience and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Little Rock, MS
Engage in a straightforward and confidential drug testing process that respects individual privacy while remaining user-friendly. From order to results, the process is designed to assure ease of use.
Ensure personal data security, understanding that privacy concerns are respected and maintained throughout every step of the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Little Rock, MS
Our competitive pricing ensures excellent value, paired with rapid result turnover that suits businesses of all sizes.
Capitalize on price structures designed for cost-efficiency without compromising on quality or speed, ensuring satisfaction and peace of mind in every testing transaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Little Rock, MS
Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and speed, ensuring quick, trustworthy outcomes. This method excels at uncovering substance usage with high accuracy, paving the way for informed decisions based on factual data.
Trust in the timeliness and effectiveness of hair testing, providing results that businesses and individuals can depend on with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Little Rock, MS
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps assure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, crucial for legal compliance and enhancing safety.
Employers experience peace of mind knowing their enforcement of no-tolerance policies reduces legal exposure and fosters a secure environment for all employees.

Drug Testing Near Little Rock, MS

Philadelphia, MS

Prismatic, MS

Neshoba, MS

Nellieburg, MS

Deemer, MS

Conehatta, MS

Chunky, MS

Hickory, MS

DeWeese, MS

Suqualena, MS

Tucker, MS

Collinsville, MS

Newton, MS

Decatur, MS

Union, MS

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