Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Byng, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances through embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to nearly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to obtain, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The four core steps involved in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This includes confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not already provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a quick preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

If a specimen shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than through other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug screening:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: It is exceptionally tough to cheat a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Byng, OK
Hair testing significantly surpasses traditional urine tests by providing enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine testing, hair analysis captures a more comprehensive view of drug usage, rendering it a superior method for employers who prioritize zero-tolerance policies.

The primary advantage of hair testing is its extensive detection window, shedding light on substance use patterns that urine tests might miss, thus offering a broader picture of an individual's tendencies with longer-term insights.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Byng, OK
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers a thorough overview of an individual’s substance history. This extensive timeframe provides insights into recurring usage patterns, offering a more comprehensive approach than traditional testing methods.

Such breadth of detection helps organizations in Byng perform due diligence during hiring processes and routine checks, better informing them about potential risks and history of substance use among their team members.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Byng, OK
Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the risk of sample tampering, ensuring dependable and unequivocal results. This testing method is inherently more resistant to adulteration compared to other forms, such as urine tests, which are more susceptible to being altered.

For organizations in Byng, the reliability of hair drug testing provides assurance that their drug-free policies are backed by genuine and untampered data, contributing to healthier work environments and sound management practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Byng, OK
With a vast network of testing centers across the nation, including local facilities in Byng, accessing testing services has never been easier. This extensive presence ensures that services are readily available whenever needed, reducing waiting times and streamlining procedures.

Our commitment to convenience ensures residents of Byng and beyond can swiftly undertake necessary testing without hassle, helping maintain continuity in both professional and legal contexts.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Byng, OK
Our testing process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring ease of use from ordering to result delivery. By maintaining high privacy standards, we address and alleviate concerns related to personal data security and user-friendliness for our clients in Byng.

With an intuitive process in place, individuals can confidently engage with our services, knowing their data is protected and that their involvement is kept private and stress-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Byng, OK
Offering competitive pricing structures and swift result processing, we deliver excellent value to organizations of all scales. Our commitment to affordability ensures that testing does not become a financial burden but a strategic advantage.

Fast turnaround times reduce disruption and aid in making timely decisions, providing companies in Byng with the ability to uphold standards efficiently without compromising on costs or quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Byng, OK
Hair follicle drug tests offer unprecedented precision and speed, perfect for accurately identifying substance use. Their high level of accuracy makes them a preferred choice when quick and reliable results are crucial for maintaining workplace safety and compliance with regulations.

Rapid processing and credible outcomes make hair testing unmatched. In Byng, OK, these tests ensure employees' or applicants' substance histories are accurately reflected, contributing to informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Byng, OK
By employing hair follicle testing, employers ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, thus minimizing legal risks and bolstering workplace safety. This testing method stands as a robust tool ensuring compliance, making it indispensable in fostering a secure workplace.

Employers benefit from knowing their policies are supported by accurate and uncontestable evidence, which reinforces organizational integrity and enhances the well-being of the workforce.

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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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