Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Apache, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized for its effectiveness in detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a history of substance use by incorporating biomarkers into its fibers as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair can reflect alcohol and drug residues for up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields around 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for screening and validation. For EtG tests, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of entering a sample into a lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing information not captured by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Samples that test positive in Screening must undergo secondary verification.

For samples that test positive during Screening, extra hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Extraction involves isolating drugs from hair at lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Any positive result from Screening is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples are washed as required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Tough to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Chronological data: It offers an overview of drug usage over a lengthy period, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Detection in hair occurs approximately 5-7 days following drug intake.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier than alternate testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand and not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Apache, OK sees the advantage of hair over urine drug testing. The former excels in accuracy, with a longer detection time that catches substance use missed by urine tests. Hair testing's reliability is a favored choice for workplaces enforcing strict drug-free policies.

Unlike urine tests with short detection periods, hair tests offer a comprehensive view of an individual’s drug habits. This enhances the ability of employers or legal entities to make informed judgments based on reliable data.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Apache, OK provides an extended detection period of up to 90 days. This duration allows employers a thorough understanding of a candidate's drug history. Long-term detection is crucial in maintaining workplace safety and ensuring informed hiring decisions.

Such a broad detection window empowers authorities to observe trends in drug use over time, giving an edge over standard testing methods limited to recent intake.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are robust against tampering, offering reliable and genuine results. In Apache, OK, this method eliminates the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring results are trustworthy and reflective of true substance use patterns.

The inherent resistance to manipulation or substitution makes hair testing a go-to choice for scenarios where authenticity is non-negotiable, thus protecting the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is vital, which is why our testing centers are located nationwide, including in Apache, OK. This extensive network ensures that access to hair follicle testing is fast and straightforward, with services provided locally and beyond.

Whether you need local or nationwide testing, our infrastructure supports a hassle-free experience, eliminating geographical barriers to maintaining workplace compliance with drug testing policies.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Apache, OK for hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential, protecting individuals' privacy at all stages. From ordering the test to obtaining results, each step is streamlined for ease while upholding confidentiality.

Users can rest assured that their personal data and test outcomes are handled with the utmost care, fostering confidence in dealing with sensitive information responsibly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Apache, OK, we provide hair follicle testing at competitive prices without sacrificing quality or speed. Our efficient procedures ensure fast turnaround, delivering excellent value.
Companies of all sizes can rely on us for cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on timing or accuracy, enabling timely decision-making.

Ensuring affordability and quality, our services cater to various organizational needs, supporting cost savings while maintaining high standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Apache, OK, hair follicle drug tests are known for their quick and precise results. Accuracy is key, and these tests deliver it consistently. By using advanced technology, they ensure a high level of reliability, making them an excellent choice for detecting substance use in various contexts.

These tests are structured to deliver results quickly, providing rapid feedback for decision-making processes. This efficiency is invaluable for employers and authorities who require dependable evidence of drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Apache, OK, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. The assurance of adherence to such regulations minimizes legal implications and promotes a safer working environment.

By utilizing this testing method, companies enhance their ability to enforce policies effectively, reducing risks associated with drug use and maintaining organizational harmony and safety.

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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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