Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Center, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a recording medium for alcohol and drug activity over extended periods by capturing biomarkers within the developing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, hair may offer nearly a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect hair, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) taken from the scalp provides 100mg of hair for optimal screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advised to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. When talking about head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Method Overview

The four primary phases in laboratory processing of drug testing results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the primary handling of a sample within the lab’s system. This step involves confirming the sample’s appropriate sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use on the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

In the Screening stage, if a sample shows a presumptive positive result, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods like urine or oral fluid, exemplifying why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are used to confirm any positive screening outcome. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection range.
• High resistance to manipulation: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical usage patterns: It reveals a trend of drug use across time, beyond current usage.

Drawbacks:

• Lack of immediate detection: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the scalp’s hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Center, OK, surpasses traditional urine tests with unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use. Its extended detection window makes it superior to urine tests.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing offers a longer timeframe of drug use detection, ensuring more reliable and comprehensive screening results.

The reliability of hair tests stems from their ability to detect drug use over several months, offering employers and regulatory bodies a more thorough substance history.

Extended Detection Window

In Center, OK, hair follicle testing provides a long detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This extended period gives a clearer picture of substance history.

Employers benefit significantly from the up to three-month detection capability, allowing a more comprehensive assessment of applicant or employee substance use.

The extensive timeframe for detection offered by hair testing is a critical advantage, presenting a well-rounded perspective on an individual's use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Center, OK, benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests. It's a method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration compared to alternatives.

Drug tests using hair samples boast a high degree of reliability, delivering unquestionable results that assure employers of authenticity in substance screening.

Hair follicle tests are designed to withstand tampering attempts, making them a go-to resource for organizations prioritizing accuracy and integrity in drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations across Center, OK, and nationwide. These centers ensure easy, hassle-free access to testing services when needed.

With a network of testing centers, the accessibility of services makes it seamless for employers and individuals to conduct necessary tests without delay.

The widespread presence of testing facilities means quick and efficient access to hair follicle testing, guaranteeing a smooth process from start to finish.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting hair follicle tests in Center, OK, involves a straightforward, confidential process. Clients can order, take, and receive results with privacy guaranteed.

The simplicity of the testing process, paired with confidential handling, addresses user concerns and enhances the overall experience of drug testing.

Employers and individuals appreciate the hassle-free approach to drug testing, emphasizing confidentiality and ease of obtaining results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing, Accredited Drug Testing in Center, OK, combines competitive fees with fast turnaround, providing substantial value for companies of all sizes.

Affordable rates paired with swift results ensure that businesses can economically maintain compliance while accessing precise drug testing services.

Cost-effective pricing and quick turnaround times make hair follicle testing a sustainable choice, reinforcing workplace diligence with budget-friendly options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Center, OK, the precision of hair follicle drug tests is unmatched. These tests offer fast and highly accurate identification of substance use, providing detailed insights for employers.

Hair follicle tests rapidly deliver reliable results, enhancing decision-making. Their accuracy is a crucial asset for organizations committed to maintaining a drug-free environment.

The swiftness and precision hair tests offer are indispensable for accurate substance screening, ensuring companies in Center, OK, have the necessary information at their fingertips.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Center, OK, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. It aids in adhering to drug-free workplace policies decisively.

This method of testing mitigates legal risks and enhances safety, ensuring that workplace environments remain secure and compliant with established standards.

Through hair testing, businesses can confidently enforce drug policies, benefiting from reduced legal exposure and elevated workplace safety.

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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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