Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Broken Bow, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of growing strands. When taken near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and samples exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be insufficient, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses other hair forms (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in processing a drug test result in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step where a sample is initially processed into a laboratory's database. This procedure verifies proper sealing and shipping, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary check for substance abuse. It’s a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most instances, yet a positive screen demands confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that test tentatively positive during Screening need a subsequent confirmation step.

Upon a presumptive positive in Screening, further hair is sourced from the original sample for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than methods like urine or oral fluid tests, explaining why hair drug analysis is among the more challenging to execute.

Confirmation entails utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS for verifying any positive screening outcome. Samples testing presumptively positive undergo washing ahead of confirmation as applicable. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated per CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and in line with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to evade: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, enhancing the accuracy of outcomes.
• Chronological data provision: It reveals a timeline of drug usage over time, beyond recent consumption alone.

Limitations:

• Recent usage detection: Drugs become traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Higher expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation is done on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Broken Bow, OK? Hair tests surpass urine analyses due to their superior detection accuracy and reliability. This advanced method offers better insights into an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Broken Bow, OK, provides an extended detection period, monitoring drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive window allows employers a thorough evaluation of an applicant's or employee's substance involvement.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Broken Bow, OK, significantly minimizes sample tampering risks, delivering trustworthy and indisputable results. This method ensures integrity in the drug testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide and in Broken Bow, OK, accessing drug testing services is fast and convenient. Our widespread locations ensure hassle-free service for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Broken Bow, OK, our drug testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize privacy while maintaining simplicity and ease of use for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround in Broken Bow, OK, offer outstanding value for businesses of all sizes. Expect efficient service that balances cost and speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Broken Bow, OK, hair follicle testing offers swift and precise results. The method's high accuracy rate makes it an excellent choice for detecting substance use, reinforcing its standing as a reliable testing option.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Broken Bow, OK, assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, decreasing potential legal issues and promoting a safer 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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