Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Blocker, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair alone. "Body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result follows four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s system. It involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that yield a presumptively positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For samples with a presumptive positive result in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from the hair at much lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed preliminarily as needed. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which cover a more limited detection period.
• Challenge to bypass: Cheating a hair drug test proves extremely difficult, thus increasing result accuracy.
• Delivers historical insights: It allows for a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Blocker, OK

When it comes to drug testing, hair follicle tests provide a superior detection accuracy over traditional methods. Unlike urine tests, hair samples offer a comprehensive history, detecting substance use over extended periods. This reliability ensures fewer chances of manipulation and provides peace of mind to employers enforcing strict drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Blocker, OK

Hair follicle testing offers a notable detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This extensive period permits employers to gain insightful knowledge of an individual’s substance usage history, offering a more comprehensive background check compared to other testing methods. It equips businesses with detailed substance use profiles, crucial for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Blocker, OK

Designed to minimize interference, hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration. The process of collecting hair samples is supervised, ensuring authenticity and reliability. Its robustness contains elements making it challenging to tamper with, providing results that are trustworthy and leaving no room for doubt.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Blocker, OK

With extensive testing locations across the nation, we offer unparalleled convenience for accessing drug testing services. Whether in Blocker or elsewhere, our centers are easily accessible, facilitating streamlined, efficient, and hassle-free testing experiences for all users, ensuring timely compliance.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Blocker, OK

We value privacy and simplicity in drug testing. Our straightforward method involves easy ordering, convenient sample collection, and quick result dissemination. This ensures user confidentiality is maintained throughout the process, addressing any privacy concerns while offering an easy testing route.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Blocker, OK

By positioning ourselves competitively, we provide cost-effective hair follicle testing with swift turnaround times. This approach delivers exceptional value to companies of all scales, ensuring budget-friendly solutions without compromising on the quality or speed needed for timely decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Blocker, OK

Hair follicle testing stands out for delivering quick and precise results in substance detection. Its high accuracy in identifying drug usage makes it an ideal choice for organizations focused on maintaining a drug-free environment. Swift processing ensures that results are not only trustworthy but are also delivered promptly, aiding in decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Blocker, OK

Hair follicle tests greatly assist employers in maintaining compliance with their drug-free policies. This testing method not only lessens legal vulnerabilities but also enhances the safety and productivity of workplaces. Implementing such reliable tests ensures businesses meet regulations and cultivate a secure work environment.

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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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