Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Boone, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs over time as biomarkers are locked within the strands as they grow. A sample near the scalp offers an approximate three-month detection period for substances. It is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample of about 200 hair strands, approximately the circumference of a #2 pencil, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirming results. For EtG, additional tests, and exams beyond 10 panels, 150mg is the advised quantity. Measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If head hair is not available, a similar volume of body hair may be gathered. When we mention head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. All other types refer to body hair, such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The laboratory steps for processing drug tests encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the sample’s initial introduction to a lab’s framework. This includes confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any missing data entries from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, swift examination for illicit substances. Though Screening effectively rules out drug presence in most samples, positive results need confirmation to hold up legally. Samples with a presumptive positive result during Screening must go through a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this step, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral samples), contributing to the complexity of hair drug tests.

Confirmation of positive screening results utilizes technologies such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP Hair certification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair testing can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, contrasting with the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Challenging to alter outcomes: Tampering with hair drug tests is extremely difficult, thus enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Historical usage data: These tests offer insights into drug use patterns over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs are only identifiable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination is performed on the hair strand rather than examining the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers a definitive edge over urine sampling in Boone, OK.
It's remarkable for detecting drugs with superior accuracy.

• Extended detection range boosts reliability by chronicling drug use over several months rather than days.
• Using advanced techniques, hair tests are more consistent in outcome, delivering an all-encompassing analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Boone, OK benefit from extended drug detection windows with hair follicle testing.
This method reveals substance history over a span of up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive assessment of drug use.

Unlike other testing forms, hair testing provides a deep dive into past drug exposure.
This amplifies the ability to understand an individual's substance behavior well beyond the immediate timeframe.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Boone, OK, hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature.
This testing significantly limits sample tampering, thereby ensuring integrity in results.

• Processed under rigorous observation, hair samples offer a reliability margin unmatched by other testing methods.
• Secure and resistant to falsification, hair tests maintain their standing as a trustworthy measure.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of numerous testing locations in Boone, OK, as well as across the country.
Accredited Drug Testing's centers deliver swift and hassle-free service, providing access to reliable testing.

Whether local or nationwide, our strategically positioned centers ensure you never face difficulty securing a test.
Simplifying access, clients appreciate our easily accessible and competent facilities.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Boone, OK is straightforward, emphasizing confidentiality.
From ordering to results receipt, the process maintains privacy and user comfort.

• Order with ease and ensure those needing tests feel secure about the procedure.
• The system focuses on maintaining confidentiality while ensuring efficacy from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle testing in Boone, OK is affordable without sacrificing efficiency.
Quick turnaround times enhance the value provided to organizations of varied sizes.

The balance between price and fast results makes hair testing an attractive option.
Achieving budget goals without compromising on quality is made possible, ensuring client satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle testing in Boone, OK, provides fast, precise, and trustworthy outcomes.
Hair tests excel in accurately identifying substance intake, offering timely insights for peace of mind.

Compared to other methods, hair testing stands out in uncovering a wide range of substances.
Thanks to advanced technological methods, results are produced swiftly and with high precision, ensuring reliable assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Boone, OK, helps companies adhere to drug-free workplace policies.
Compliant testing reduces legal risks, fostering a safer work environment.

• Hair tests are an asset in maintaining organizational standards and ensuring a substance-free workforce.
• Peace of mind is achieved when results align with compliance requirements.

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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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