Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Beggs, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely acknowledged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can reveal a detection period of almost three months for various substances. Hair collection is effortless, relatively tamper-proof, and straightforward to dispatch.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) located near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for evaluation and verification. For EtG, supplemental assessments, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We propose measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

Processing a drug testing result in the lab involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and mailed, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary test for drug presence. While it's a cost-effective method to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, any positive screen must be validated for court acceptance. Samples that show presumptive positive results in screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample appears positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging procedure.

The Confirmation step for any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged as positive initially are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter window.
• Difficult to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Traceable usage data: Provides a timeline of drug use over an extended period, not limited to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incognition of recent use: Detection of drugs in hair typically takes around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure analyzes the hair strand itself and not the follicle residing beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When contrasting hair follicle testing with traditional urine assessments in Beggs, OK, the superior detection range and accuracy of hair analysis become evident. These tests excel in reliability, offering drug use insights that urine tests might overlook. Hair testing ensures better substance abuse monitoring due to a longer detection timeframe and immaculate data fidelity.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing is a key asset in Beggs, OK. Unlike shorter-term alternatives, it provides insights into drug use spanning up to 90 days. This broader scope gives employers a comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee's substance history, aiding in more informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Beggs, OK, hair follicle testing ranks prominently as a tamper-proof screening method. Compared to other techniques, it minimizes chances of sample tinkering, offering unwavering reliability and authenticity in results. This significant fortification against adulteration ensures confidence in the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With extensive nationwide presence, our testing centers, including those in Beggs, OK, provide unparalleled convenience. These locations ensure easy, stress-free access to testing services, accommodating diverse scheduling needs and facilitating seamless drug testing experiences for all involved parties.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Beggs, OK, the hair follicle testing process epitomizes simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to result receipt, each step is designed to protect participants' privacy while ensuring ease of use. This assures clients of a discreet, user-friendly testing journey, devoid of complexities or undue worries.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery in Beggs, OK, underscore commitment to value and efficiency. Affordable options and expedited service provide outstanding benefits, catering to companies of varying sizes and instilling confidence in the cost-effectiveness and adequacy of our solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Beggs, OK, swift and precise results are vital when dealing with drug testing. Hair follicle assessments stand out for their unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use. This method efficiently pinpoints evidence of drug consumption, removing ambiguity and ensuring employers receive dependable information quickly, enhancing decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing for compliance in Beggs, OK, assures employers peace of mind. This testing approach aligns with drug-free workplace policies, cutting down potential legal challenges and boosting workspace security. Reliable testing helps uphold company standards, ensuring a safe, compliant environment.

Drug Testing Near Beggs, OK

Kellyville, OK

Glenpool, OK

Morris, OK

South Tulsa, OK

Kiefer, OK

Slick, OK

Liberty, OK

Mounds, OK

Okmulgee, OK

Nuyaka, OK

Winchester, OK

Preston, OK

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