Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Carlton Landing, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer a prolonged timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is uncomplicated, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send off.

A 1.5-inch segment comprised of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This process ensures that the sample was accurately sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial swift assessment for illicit substances. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in the majority of cases, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with a presumptive positive Screening result necessitate additional confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive outcome in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• High accuracy: Cheating in a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical usage insight: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: There is a 5-7 day delay before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result inconsistencies: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superior detection accuracy of hair follicle tests over traditional urine tests lies in their ability to identify residual substances long after use. In Carlton Landing, OK, this method provides unmatched reliability and assurance for both employers and individuals.

Unlike urine tests, which can be compromised, hair testing offers non-intrusive sample collection with high precision. Its extended detection capabilities make it ideal for thorough and effective drug monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Carlton Landing, OK, stand out with their extended detection window, allowing employers to see substance use history for up to 90 days. This long detection period offers a thorough assessment of a person’s habits.

By capturing a detailed history of substance use, hair testing facilitates informed choices from a comprehensive viewpoint, beyond the capabilities of traditional testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

With a substantially tamper-resistant nature, hair follicle tests in Carlton Landing, OK, eliminate sample adulteration risks. The integrity of results is maintained, offering confidently reliable outcomes.
Employers and legal entities benefit from accurate data free from manipulation, ensuring trustworthy results and reinforcing robust auditing practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering nationwide testing, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access in Carlton Landing, OK. Our comprehensive network allows easy testing access, reinforcing quick and seamless service delivery for all clients.

Availability across numerous locations means hassle-free testing center access for businesses and individuals, ensuring that services are promptly and efficiently conducted.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing guarantees a simple, confidential testing process in Carlton Landing, OK. From ordering to obtaining results, every step is designed to protect privacy and assure ease of use.

The straightforward approach ensures seamless handling from start to finish, with an emphasis on maintaining a private and secure experience for all clients involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Carlton Landing, OK, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing on hair follicle tests, assuring affordability across the board. Fast turnaround times enhance value, making our services a wise choice for both small and large enterprises.

With cost-effective solutions and prompt results, businesses enjoy strategic advantages in managing drug-testing needs effectively while keeping budgets in check.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Carlton Landing, OK, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed in delivering results. This advanced testing method ensures quick turnaround with highly accurate findings, making it invaluable for timely decision-making.

Efficiency and reliability define hair tests, capable of identifying substance use accurately. Their definitive results and prompt processing provide peace of mind for individuals and businesses alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Carlton Landing, OK ensures strong compliance with organizational drug-free standards. It helps minimize legal exposure and enhances operating conditions, providing peace of mind for all stakeholders involved.

Reducing workplace risk and supporting safe environments are bolstered by this reliable drug testing methodology, fostering security and vigilance in business operations.

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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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