Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Siloam Springs, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The composition of hair offers a prolonged account of alcohol and drug intake by locking biomarkers within the strands during growth. When taken from near the scalp, hair can indicate alcohol and drug use over about a 3-month span. Hair is easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to mail.

Taking a segment of hair, 1.5 inches long and close to 200 strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil), provides 100mg, the ideal quantity for testing. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale is advisable to measure the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Guideline of Process

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

Accessioning is the commencement of processing a sample into the lab's system. This step assures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and completes data entries absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Screening serves as an economical approach to disqualify drug use in most samples, but a positive result requires confirmation to be court-acceptable. Any Screening samples deemed presumptively positive must undergo subsequent confirmation.

Should preliminary positive results occur during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug screening.

The Verification of positive Screening results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positive findings are cleansed before verification if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Verification, is reviewed adhering to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for a period up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter timeframe offered by urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: Manipulating a hair drug test is quite challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Supplies retrospective data: It reveals a trend of drug consumption across a duration, not merely recent behaviors.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to surface in hair samples.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug analysis incurs higher costs than other testing approaches.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors including hair color and personal hair growth rates might influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle itself.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superiority of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests is evident in Siloam Springs, MO. The detection accuracy and reliability of hair tests excel by offering insights that urine tests may not capture.

• Longer detection window for substances
• Nearly impossible to tamper with
• Observable collection process

Extended Detection Window

In Siloam Springs, MO, the hair follicle test's strength lies in its extended detection window. With the ability to trace drug use up to 90 days, it allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history.
This prolonged insight proves crucial for evaluating long-term habits, making hair follicle tests a preferred choice for assessing employee reliability and conduct.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method offers a tamper-resistant solution in Siloam Springs, MO, significantly mitigating the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike other methods, the observable collection process ensures authenticity.
The integrity of the test results is thus safeguarded, providing a transparent and reliable reflection of an individual's substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is the hallmark of Accredited Drug Testing's services in Siloam Springs, MO. With widespread nationwide testing centers available, quick and straightforward access to drug testing services is ensured.
These facilities provide a seamless experience, allowing both employers and individuals to undertake testing without hassle, whenever the need arises.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Siloam Springs, MO, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step respects the individual's privacy.
This straightforward procedure ensures ease of use, reassuring individuals and businesses that their information is securely handled and kept private throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and swift service turnaround in Siloam Springs, MO. Competitive pricing structures ensure value for companies across scales.
With efficient processes, swift results are guaranteed, reinforcing the company's commitment to providing quality service and peace of mind at a cost-effective rate.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast, accurate, and reliable results in Siloam Springs, MO. These tests leverage precise methodologies to detect substance use, providing a dependable outcome.
With cutting-edge technology, the hair follicle approach ensures swift analysis, accurately revealing the history of drug intake. This efficiency provides results that stakeholders can trust, fostering confidence in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Siloam Springs, MO, hair follicle testing affords compliance and peace of mind. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, companies reduce their legal risks while maintaining safety.
Implementing this method ensures that workforces adhere to established guidelines, promoting both a secure environment and heightened employee accountability.

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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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