Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Avard, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. Hair collected near the scalp offers detection for up to an estimated 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch sample containing approximately 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a quantity of 150mg is advised. It’s suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

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

Accessioning includes the initial integration of the sample into the lab's database. This step ensures the sample’s seal and proper shipping, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-effective technique for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result must be corroborated for legal acceptability. Samples testing positive in Screening require an additional confirmation step.

Should a sample test positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During this process, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing the most challenging procedure.

Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test positive are thoroughly washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug usage spanning up to 90 days, contrasted with the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to compromise: Hair drug testing is notably difficult to manipulate, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers usage history: It delineates drug consumption patterns over time, rather than just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Influences such as hair color and individual growth differences can alter drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually involves the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing with urine testing in Avard, OK, the benefits become clear. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy over longer periods, typically up to 90 days, compared to urine's shorter detection window. This extended detection ability makes hair testing a more reliable choice for employers wanting to enforce drug-free policies robustly.

Urine tests, while traditional, often fall short in cases where drug use needs to be monitored beyond recent days. Hair testing's ability to provide a more comprehensive overview gives it a distinct advantage, offering a clearer picture of an individual's drug history.

Extended Detection Window

Avard, OK, employers benefit from the extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing, which spans up to 90 days. This lengthy period allows for a thorough review of an individual's substance use history, offering valuable insights for hiring decisions or ongoing employment evaluations.

By utilizing hair follicle testing, employers gain a comprehensive perspective on an applicant's or employee's long-term drug use, crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace. This ability to detect past substance use effectively distinguishes hair testing from other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Avard, OK, presents a superior, tamper-resistant method of drug screening. Its reliability stems from its collection process, which significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering or adulteration, ensuring that test results remain trustworthy and accurate.

Unlike other methods susceptible to interference, hair testing provides results that confidently reflect an individual's drug use history. This reliability ensures peace of mind for employers and others who rely on test outcomes to make informed decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide and specific local access in Avard, OK, Accredited Drug Testing makes it simple to undergo hair follicle testing. Employers and individuals alike benefit from our extensive network, ensuring quick, straightforward access to services.

These nationwide centers provide easy solutions to drug testing needs, reducing effort and time spent on the testing process. Our local presence ensures that testing is always within reach whenever necessary.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Avard, OK, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering tests to providing samples and receiving results, every step ensures privacy and user-friendliness, addressing common concerns around testing procedures.

The straightforward procedure simplifies participation while safeguarding personal information, offering a hassle-free experience for individuals and employers alike. It's designed to be user-friendly without compromising on confidentiality or reliability.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Avard, OK, residents can access competitive pricing and fast turnaround times with our hair follicle drug testing services. Our rates provide excellent value while maintaining high standards, ensuring companies of all sizes receive quality and expedience.

Quick result delivery combined with affordable rates allows businesses to make timely decisions without overspending, supporting effective and economical management of drug testing processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Avard, OK, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The method allows for comprehensive detection, identifying substance use with high accuracy. Speed and precision mark hair testing as an essential tool for employers and legal authorities looking to ensure safety and compliance in various environments.

Compared to other testing methods, hair analysis stands out for its swift processing time, guaranteeing rapid outcomes without compromising reliability. This advantage is critical for timely decision-making among employers and other stakeholders in Avard, OK.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Avard, OK, find peace of mind and compliance through hair follicle testing. It helps uphold drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and fostering a safer working environment, which is vital for protecting employee well-being and company reputation.

By choosing hair testing, companies ensure adherence to regulations, enhancing both safety and productivity. This testing method offers employers a reliable approach to maintaining integrity and lawful workplace practices.

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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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