Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Briggs, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an efficient means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair preserves a long-term log of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding biomarkers within its fibers. When obtained from the scalp, hair can yield roughly a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp ensures 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four pivotal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning signifies the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. It entails verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not catered for by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a swift initial evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

In the event of a presumptively positive sample in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screen is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory progression from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can uncover drug usage for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is particularly difficult, yielding more precise results.
• Historical insights: It provides a timeline of drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Briggs, OK, hair follicle testing proves to be superior to urine analysis. The benefits of hair tests include increased accuracy and reliability.

• The detection period is significantly longer compared to urine tests.
• The collection process is observed, minimizing tampering attempts.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days in Briggs, OK.

• This comprehensive window offers employers a thorough view of employee or candidate drug use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Using hair follicle testing in Briggs, OK significantly reduces tampering risks. Sample integrity is maintained, guaranteeing reliable results.

• More challenging to adulterate than other testing methods.
• Offers trustworthy outcomes that can withstand scrutiny.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With accredited testing centers Nationwide, including in Briggs, OK, convenience is assured.

• Clients benefit from hassle-free access to hair testing services.
• Many locations offer quick and easy testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Briggs, OK, hair testing processes are simple and confidential, promoting ease of use. The

• ordering and receiving of results is a discreet affair.
• Users can expect a stress-free testing with complete privacy assurance.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair testing services in Briggs, OK are competitively priced. We offer affordable options along with swift turnaround times.

• Businesses enjoy an exceptional value for their investment.
• Fast processing assures timely decision making for employers of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and quick results of hair follicle drug tests in Briggs, OK make them a popular choice. Hair Testing indicates substance use with high accuracy.

Employers benefit from rapid, reliable outcomes, ensuring fair assessments when implementing drug use policies. Overall, hair tests assure accuracy. Use of hair analysis delivers true and reliable results that instill confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Briggs, OK, hair follicle tests promote compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks.

• It also enhances workplace safety by ensuring a drug-free environment.
• Employers gain peace of mind knowing that employees are screened accurately.

Drug Testing Near Briggs, OK

East Cherokee, OK

Wauhillau, OK

Gideon, OK

Keys, OK

Titanic, OK

Proctor, OK

Moodys, OK

Park Hill, OK

Grandview, OK

Steely Hollow, OK

Eldon, OK

Welling, OK

Cherokee, OK

Tahlequah, OK

Scraper, 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