Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cleo Springs, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has evolved into an efficient method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about 90 days for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands, akin to a #2 pencil in size, gathered nearest to the scalp, will provide 100mg, which is the preferred sample size for testing and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be absent, an analogous quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair imply scalp hair only, whereas body hair covers any other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for determining a drug test result consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the initial introduction of a specimen into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any supporting data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents an initial check for illicit drugs. While cost-effective for excluding drug use in most specimens, a screening test’s positive result demands confirmation for court acceptability. Any samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening undergo further confirmation.

If a specimen tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower levels than found in other testing styles (like urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirming any positive screen outcome uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives receive a wash before confirmation if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory cycle complies with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can uncover drug usage up to 90 days back, surpassing the shorter detection spans of urine testing.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is particularly challenging, enhancing result precision.
• Chronological data: Offers a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapacity to detect immediate use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Aspects like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers notable advantages over traditional urine tests in Cleo Springs, OK. Its standout feature is its ability to detect past drug use over a longer timeframe, offering superior detection accuracy.

This method provides a more comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance history, showcasing its preference over urine testing. The reliability further underscores its position as a superior testing option.

Extended Detection Window

In Cleo Springs, OK, hair follicle testing extends its detection window up to 90 days, offering a more thorough understanding of drug use. Such an expansive timeframe allows employers to have a clearer view of an employee’s or candidate's substance history.

This prolonged detection capability is instrumental for comprehensive evaluations, ensuring informed decision-making without missing signs of past use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Cleo Springs, OK, is designed to resist tampering, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This method ensures reliable and unquestionable results, keeping the integrity of the testing process intact.

Employers can trust the outcomes as they eliminate the common pitfalls associated with traditional urine tests, establishing a trustworthy screening environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing sites across the nation and in Cleo Springs, OK. With a wide reach of local centers, these locations provide an easy access point for testing services, ensuring the process is quick and hassle-free.

Our nationwide presence guarantees that individuals can always find a testing center nearby, easing the logistical challenges of scheduling and attending tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Cleo Springs, OK, emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is hassle-free, with a strong emphasis on maintaining the privacy of individuals involved.

By focusing on a straightforward approach, we address common privacy concerns, ensuring that the testing process is both simple and respectful of confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Cleo Springs, OK, Accredited Drug Testing provides affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures ensure that cost-effective solutions are always available.

With our quick turnaround, companies receive the benefits of efficient service, combining affordability with the assurance of timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cleo Springs, OK, hair follicle drug tests are fast, accurate, and reliable. Precision in detection distinguishes these tests from others, providing a dependable method for identifying substance use. The results are both quick and precise, making it a preferred choice over other testing options.

Our hair follicle tests ensure a high level of accuracy as they meticulously analyze samples for substance detection. This accuracy helps you make informed decisions while maintaining a safe environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cleo Springs, OK, benefit from using hair follicle testing for compliance with drug-free policies. This method helps in reducing legal risks while enhancing workplace safety, providing peace of mind for employers committed to a safe and productive environment.

By ensuring adherence to policies, hair follicle tests minimize liability concerns, fostering a safer workplace for all employees.

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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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