Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Castle, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective measure for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, it provides a comprehensive history of substance intake. When sourced close to the scalp, hair offers an approximately 3-month detection window for alcohol and substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, fairly tricky to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests over 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair can’t be acquired, a similar quantity of body hair may be utilized. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a rapid preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation in order to be court-admissible. Any samples with presumptively positive results during Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the main specimen for Extraction preparation. At this stage, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result fidelity.
• Delivers historical information: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug use across a timeline, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often dubbed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Castle, OK has observed a growing preference for hair follicle testing over urine testing. The advanced detection capabilities of hair tests provide superior accuracy, making them ideal for contexts requiring detailed drug use history.

Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer a longer detection period and increased reliability, making them beneficial for employers seeking robust and accurate drug testing solutions.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Castle, OK offers an extended detection window. It can reveal drug use history up to 90 days, providing employers a comprehensive view of a candidate's substance habits.

This longer span ensures employers make informed decisions, as hair tests provide a detailed account of an individual's drug use over time, unlike other tests with shorter detection periods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Castle, OK, the hair follicle test stands out for its tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, assuring reliable results.

The difficulty of manipulating hair samples ensures the test remains trustworthy, offering a dependable option for accurate drug testing unfettered by common tampering methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, including in Castle, OK, accessing hair follicle drug testing is convenient. Our extensive network simplifies the process, making it quick and straightforward for all users.

The availability of local facilities ensures that individuals can receive testing services without hassle or delay, enhancing the service experience through accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Castle, OK, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, privacy and ease are prioritized to address client concerns.

This straightforward procedure assures users of discreet handling of their information while providing efficient service, protecting their privacy and simplifying the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Providing excellent value in Castle, OK, hair follicle testing is both affordable and fast. Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times make it a favorable option for businesses of varying scales.

Cost-effective solutions coupled with rapid results ensure companies benefit from quality service without financial strain, enhancing their operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Castle, OK, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are celebrated for their precision in detecting substance use, ensuring that employers and authorities can rely on the findings without doubt.

With a streamlined process, hair follicle testing delivers results rapidly, allowing for swift decisions. The high accuracy and efficiency of these tests make them the preferred choice for thorough substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

The use of hair follicle testing in Castle, OK brings compliance and peace of mind to employers. It ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks.

By implementing this testing, companies reinforce safety standards, promoting a secure working environment and safeguarding against liabilities associated with substance abuse.

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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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