Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burton, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analyses are now regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can archive an extensive timeline of substance use due to the embedding of biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, the sample can reveal drug and alcohol exposure dating back approximately three months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for transport.

A sample approximately 1.5 inches in length with around 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) harvested closest to the scalp provides roughly 100mg of hair, which is perfect for both initial screenings and confirmations. For EtG testing, additional screenings, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a portion measuring 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is unusable, equivalent quantities of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other forms (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

Four fundamental phases define the laboratory processing of drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's database. This step verifies that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns it a distinct LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any missing data input absent from the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for illicit drug presence. Although Screening serves as an economical method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to qualify for legal proceedings. Samples yielding a presumptively positive screen demand further verification.

In scenarios where a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to undergo Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than those found using alternate methods (such as urine or oral fluid analysis), positioning hair testing as the most challenging protocol to execute.

Confirmation of any preliminary positive result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples indicating a preliminary positive result get a cleansing treatment before confirmation if necessary. The complete procedural verification from Accessioning through to Confirmation falls under the certification by CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair and adheres to the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair toxicology tests can reveal drug use extending up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests offering a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: Deceiving a hair drug test proves highly challenging, thereby ensuring higher result accuracy.
• Delivers temporal usage patterns: The test outlines a historical usage pattern rather than just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of immediate use detection: Detectability of drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days to manifest.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to other testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be influenced by factors such as hair color and individual hair growth rates.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the testing procedure actually assesses the hair strand above the scalp rather than the follicle tissue itself.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Burton, OK, offers superior detection accuracy and reliability when compared to urine tests. Its longer detection window and immunity to tampering make it a robust tool for employers seeking credible results. This reliability ensures informed hiring decisions, creating a proactive approach to workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

With a detection span of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Burton, OK, provides an extensive view of an individual's substance history. This prolonged detection period is invaluable for employers to assess the long-term behavior of potential hires or current employees, ensuring a safe and compliant working environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing in Burton, OK, is its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methods, hair tests reduce the risk of sample adulteration, offering reliable outcomes that are nearly impossible to compromise. This assures employers of the integrity and accuracy of test results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Located conveniently, our Burton, OK center is part of a nationwide network of testing sites. This wide-reaching availability ensures that individuals and companies can access testing services with ease, minimizing travel and scheduling disruptions. Our locations are designed to be quick and hassle-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Burton, OK, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to result retrieval, each step is intuitive, ensuring user privacy and comfort. This seamless process ensures that clients feel secure and informed throughout the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, hair follicle testing in Burton, OK, provides exceptional value. This economical approach does not compromise on quality or speed, delivering results that businesses of all sizes can trust. It combines cost-efficiency with high-standard service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Burton, OK, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its fast and accurate results. This method captures a precise history of substance use, surpassing traditional tests. With minimal processing time, it allows for quick decision-making, making it the preferred choice for urgent testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Burton, OK, provides employers with compliance and peace of mind. By ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, companies mitigate legal risks and promote a safer workplace. This method stands as a testament to maintaining industry standards and employee wellbeing.

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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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