Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Braman, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drugs presence by capturing markers within the strands of hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use for up to about a 3-month period. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipment.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closer to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the hair is preferred. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measuring. If scalp hair can't be collected, the same amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair incorporates all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The primary four stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory setting. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. Screening is an economical means of eliminating drug use on most samples, yet any positive findings require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening mandate secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is collected from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), accounting for why hair drug screening presents as a challenging method to execute.

Any positive Screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if needed. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in line with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection duration: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine testing which offers a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: It's quite hard to fake results in a hair drug test, providing more precision in outcomes.
• Gives historical insight: Offers a record of drug use over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become evident in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing is more costly in comparison to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Braman, OK, hair follicle testing stands superior to urine tests for several reasons. It provides a longer detection period, making it a more accurate choice. Unlike urine tests, which require frequent administration, hair testing detects substance abuse over an extended time frame. Moreover, it isn't affected by temporary abstinence periods, offering employers detailed insights into substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Braman, OK, excels in offering an extended detection window. Unlike traditional methods, it can trace drug use up to 90 days back, providing a thorough picture of an individual's substance history. This longer timeframe is especially valuable for employers making informed hiring or retention decisions and wishing to understand employees' behavioral patterns thoroughly.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

With significantly reduced risks of sample tampering, hair follicle testing offers assured authenticity of results in Braman, OK. Its inherent testing process minimizes the chance of adulteration since the oversight and procedure surrounding sample collection are highly controlled. Employers and agencies can rely on the integrity of these tests for reliable, uncontested data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenience throughout Braman, OK, and beyond, Accredited Drug Testing provides access to testing services nationwide. With numerous testing centers available, individuals and companies can enjoy effortless scheduling and testing experiences. This extensive reach ensures results are just a short journey away, wherever one may be located.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Braman, OK, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and private. The confidentiality of client information is paramount from ordering the test to receiving the results. The process is streamlined to ensure ease of use, addressing potential privacy concerns effectively and delivering peace of mind to all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Braman, OK businesses benefit from our affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive rates, ensuring all organizations receive excellent value. Timely results are crucial, and our rapid processing ensures decisions can be made confidently without breaking the bank, catering to businesses regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Braman, OK are unmatched. This method provides highly accurate evaluations regarding substance use. Results are delivered promptly, ensuring timely decision-making. Employers and legal institutions often rely on these tests to ascertain drug usage with confidence, as they provide robust and trustworthy outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Braman, OK employers, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. By embracing this method, companies achieve compliance effortlessly. The reduced legal risk and safety enhancement from using hair tests provide peace of mind, reinforcing a culture of accountability and responsibility across the workplace 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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