Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atwood, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair includes any other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the first phase, wherein the sample is introduced into the lab’s system. This step involves confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

During Screening, an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse is conducted. While this is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage on most samples, a positive screen must be validated to hold up in court. All presumptive positives from Screening need further verification.

If a sample tests positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly complex.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives are washed as necessary prior to confirmation. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Historical pattern: This method reveals a drug use pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests," this test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Atwood, OK, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in several aspects. Firstly, it has a significantly longer detection window, capturing drug use history up to three months. This advantage provides a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use patterns, enhancing screening accuracy.

Hair testing offers superior reliability compared to urine tests. While urine tests might be tampered with or affected by temporary abstinence, hair tests are nearly impossible to manipulate. This integrity ensures that employers and organizations in Atwood, OK, receive trustworthy results to make informed decisions.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Atwood, OK, unveils drug use over the past 90 days, providing a detailed picture of a person's substance history. This method captures long-term patterns, crucial for employers aiming to maintain a drug-free workplace and make informed hiring decisions.

Hair follicle testing's ability to detect a prolonged drug use history sets it apart from other methods. In Atwood, OK, employers and organizations rely on this extensive insight to assess an individual's reliability and align with company policies, ensuring transparency and safety for all stakeholders.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One significant advantage of hair follicle tests in Atwood, OK, is their resistance to tampering. This method ensures that test results are genuine and trustworthy, as hair samples are collected in a monitored setting, eliminating possibilities of adulteration or substitution.

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing provides peace of mind to employers and legal entities in Atwood, OK. By minimizing the risk of sample manipulation, these tests uphold accuracy and integrity, critical for upholding workplace policies and judicial requirements.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience with its extensive network of testing centers, including local options in Atwood, OK. With a nationwide reach, we ensure easy access to our services, reducing travel time and facilitating prompt testing for all clients.

Our strategically located centers in Atwood, OK, and beyond provide seamless, hassle-free testing experiences. Whether you're an individual or organization, our locations are designed for your convenience, making the testing process swift and straightforward.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Atwood, OK, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step prioritizes your privacy and ease of use, ensuring a stress-free experience without compromising on security.

Our streamlined procedures and confidential approach in Atwood, OK, simplify the testing process for all participants. We understand the importance of discretion, delivering a user-friendly experience from start to finish, respecting your privacy at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround times in Atwood, OK, ensuring exceptional value for companies of all sizes. Our competitive rates do not compromise the quality or reliability of our results, supporting your business needs efficiently.

With our cost-effective pricing structures, businesses in Atwood, OK, benefit from both economic and timely testing solutions. Fast turnaround times ensure that you receive results promptly, enabling you to make decisions swiftly and confidently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Atwood, OK, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. Leveraging advanced technology, these tests swiftly identify substance use with high precision, making them a preferred option for many employers and organizations. Their ability to promptly deliver results offers peace of mind and facilitates timely decision-making.

Hair follicle testing stands out due to its exceptional accuracy in detecting a range of substances. In Atwood, OK, this testing method ensures rigorous scrutiny, reducing false positives and negatives. Clients benefit from the assurance of quick turnarounds and precise outcomes, crucial for maintaining workplace safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Atwood, OK, gain significant compliance and assurance by adopting hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing overall safety and productivity. A robust screening process fosters a safer work environment.

Hair follicle testing not only ensures policy compliance but also brings peace of mind to employers in Atwood, OK. By effectively identifying long-term substance use, businesses are empowered to maintain strong workforce management practices and avoid potential legal complications.

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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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